Author/Authors :
Volta, Umberto Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , Gloria Mumolo, Maria Gastroenterology Unit - Department of Gastroenterology - University of Pisa, Italy , Caio, Giacomo Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , Boschetti, Elisa Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , Latorre, Rocco Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , Giancola, Fiorella Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , Paterini, Paola Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy , De Giorgio, Roberto Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna, Italy
Abstract :
A 62-year-old woman complaining of severe malabsorption was diagnosed with celiac disease based on the findings of flat,
small intestinal mucosa and HLA-DQ2 positivity, although celiac serology was negative. This diagnosis was questioned
due to the lack of clinical and histological improvement after a long period of strict gluten-free diet. The detection of
enterocyte autoantibodies guided to the correct diagnosis of autoimmune enteropathy, leading to a complete recovery of the
patient following an appropriate immunosuppressive treatment. Autoimmune enteropathy should be considered in the
differential diagnosis of malabsorption with severe villous atrophy, including those cases with negative celiac-related
serology.
Keywords :
Villous atrophy , Malabsorption , Enterocyte autoantibodies , Autoimmune enteropathy
