[Immunological studies in childhood coeliac disease (author's transl)]

The predominance of IgA-containing plasma cells over IgM-containing plasma cells in the normal small bowel mucosa is well documented. In coeliac patients relatively higher numbers of IgM-positive cells were found by several authors in varying degrees. We investigated the proportion of IgA-, IgM and IgG- containing plasma cells in small bowel biopsy material from 21 coeliac children and 24 controls by means of the immunofluorescent double-staining technique. A greater increase of IgM-cells than has previously been described was found. Additionally anti-reticulin antibodies, precipitating antibodies to gliadin and immunoglobuline levels in the serum were determined and tissue typing was performed in a number of these children, and the correlations of these single results were studied. Although these immunological investigations can not substitute the examination of small bowel mucosa biopsies by means of the dissecting microscope and conventional histological methods, they are a valuable diagnostic aid and could help to avoid unnecessary repeat biopsies. They are of help in monitoring the course and therapy in coeliac patients.