Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Coeliac disease in the COVID-19 pandemic: does HLA have a protective effect?
1Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Celiac disease patients with HLA DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes may have a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most patients managed their gluten-free diet and experienced mild or no COVID-19 symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health emergency.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) polymorphism is linked to viral susceptibility.
- Coeliac disease is associated with specific HLA haplotypes (DQ2/DQ8).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HLA DQ2/DQ8 in SARS-CoV-2 infection among coeliac patients.
- To assess challenges in gluten-free diet management during the pandemic.
- To evaluate clinical follow-up difficulties for coeliac patients during COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- 191 coeliac patients completed a questionnaire.
- Assessed clinical status, psychological effects, and gluten-free diet adherence.
- Inquired about SARS-CoV-2 infection and testing.
Main Results:
- 84.8% of coeliac patients did not feel vulnerable to COVID-19.
- 94.2% had no issues with gluten-free diet management or food acquisition.
- Only 5.8% were diagnosed with COVID-19, with 94.8% being asymptomatic and no hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- The HLA DQ2/DQ8 haplotype may offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Coeliac patients generally managed the gluten-free diet effectively during the pandemic.
- Further research is needed to confirm the protective role of HLA DQ2/DQ8.
Background:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is emerging as a worldwide public health emergency. Several scientific contributions reported the potential relevance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphism and susceptibility to viruses, such as SARS-CoV. In our study, we examined a population of coeliac subjects presenting the HLA haplotype DQ2 and/or DQ8. Our aim was to evaluate whether HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotype play a role in SARS-CoV-2-infection. The aim was also to evaluate the difficulty in following the gluten-free diet due to all the adversities produced by the pandemic, such as the food supply disruption, and the difficulties in managing the clinical follow-up.
Methods:
191 consecutive coeliac patients completed a questionnaire on their current clinical status, psychological effects, and management of the gluten-free diet experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and questions regarding possible SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results:
Out of the 191 patients who participated in the study, 42 were full-blown coeliac and 149 were in remission. From the answers provided, 84.8% of patients declared that they no longer consider themselves vulnerable to COVID-19 as they suffer from coeliac disease; 94.2% of patients did not encounter any difficulties in managing the gluten-free diet or in acquiring specific foods and 64.9% of patients in our study underwent diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2. Out of this number, 31.5% did so due to contacts with subjects affected by COVID-19, 26.6% for work related reasons, 11.3% due to flu-like symptoms and 30.6% for other reasons. Only 5.8% of the enrolled patients received a diagnosis of COVID-19. Out of all the patients in our population who were diagnosed with COVID-19, 94.8% developed no symptoms and none of them needed hospitalization or intensive care.
Conclusion:
The hypothesis that the HLADQ2 and/or DQ8 haplotype plays a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection, as against other viral infections, is intriguingly suggestive.KEY MESSAGESCOVID-19 as a public health emergency;SARS-CoV-2 and possible complications in coeliac disease;Role of HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
More Related Videos
10:27Recognition of Epidermal Transglutaminase by IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase 2 Antibodies in a Rare Case of Rhesus Dermatitis
Published on: December 15, 2011
06:03Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays
Published on: September 20, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:24Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors
01:17Gastritis-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...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
01:25Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
01:15Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...