Celiac disease screening among healthy blood donors in Hungary

Celiac disease (CD) is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease in Europe. The prevalence of CD in Hungarian children is estimated at 1.2 - 1.4 %. To date, however, no data on adult CD prevalence has been published.

Analysis of the serological evidence for CD among Hungarian adults in order to estimate its prevalence.

Plasma samples from 4155 healthy blood donors were anonymously screened for circulating IgA autoantibodies by a highly sensitive tissue transglutaminase ELISA. Positive results were subsequently confirmed by endomysial antibody test.

Endomysial antibody test confirmed positivity in 25 samples suggesting a prevalence of CD of at least 0.6 % (1:166). Since no identification on the samples was provided, no further examinations could be done on endomysial antibody positive individuals.

The first serological screening study among healthy Hungarian adult blood donors showed a prevalence of CD similar to other central European countries and lower than that in Hungarian children. Among countries worldwide, the Hungarian prevalence of CD appears to be in the mid-range, although pediatric data suggest a higher prevalence.