Frequency of HLA-B8 in Israeli children with celiac disease

The frequency of HLA-B8 in 18 Israeli children with celiac disease was examined and compared with that in 27 nonceliac children hospitalized at the time of the study. The diagnosis of celiac disease was made on the basis of an intestinal biopsy and a positive response to the lymphocyte inhibition factor (LIF) test, as well as a good response to withdrawal of gluten from the diet. HLA-B8 was found in 10 of the 18 celiac patients (56%). Of the 27 nonceliac children, three (11%) had HLA-B8. The LIF-positive celiac group had an HLA-B8 frequency five times greater than that in the nonceliac group, confirming our previous finding that the LIF test is a good diagnostic criterion for celiac disease. The combination of an intestinal biopsy, the LIF test and the presence of HLA-B8 could be a useful triad for diagnosis of celiac disease.