Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Recognition of Epidermal Transglutaminase by IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase 2 Antibodies in a Rare Case of Rhesus Dermatitis
Published on: December 15, 2011
[Celiac disease associated with antiphospholipid syndrome]
1Servicio de Gastroenterología. Hospital Español de Mendoza. Argentina. arturo.jorge@speedy.com.at
Introduction:
celiac disease may be associated with pathologies of immune etiology. We present its association with antiphospholipid syndrome. CASE 1: a 26-year-old female was diagnosed with celiac disease. Six months later she became pregnant, and experienced fetal death. The following year she became pregnant again. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies: 20 GPL U/ml (normal value < 11), and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies: 9 MPL U/ml (n. v. < 10). Hematological tests were otherwise uneventful. Medicated with acetylsalicylic acid she had a normal pregnancy. CASE 2: a 48-year-old female diagnosed with celiac disease presented with thrombosis in her left lower limb and renal infarction. Hematological tests showed no prothrombotic alterations (antiphospholipid antibodies were not measured). A year and a half later she had thrombosis in a finger of her hand. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies: 10 GPL (n. v. < 13), and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies: 35 MPL (n. v. < 12). CASE 3: a 38-year-old female was diagnosed with celiac disease. Some time later she experienced two spontaneous abortions and a transient ischemic cerebral attack. Nowadays, she is in her sixth month of pregnancy. IgM anticardiolipin antibodies: 75 MPL/ml (n. v. up to 20), and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies within normal values. Hematological tests revealed no other prothrombotic alterations.
Discussion:
antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis, and spontaneous fetal death. Its association with celiac disease has been described in few cases. Celiac disease is associated with spontaneous fetal death; consequently, we hypothesize that antiphospholipid syndrome may be one of the causes for this event.
Related Concept Videos
Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Other Disorders of Digestive System
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
