Background/aims: Our aim in the present study was to investigate tissue transglutaminase expression by immunohistochemistry in duodenal mucosa of patients with celiac disease.
Methods: A total of twelve patients with celiac disease were examined. The patients had different clinical and histopathologic degrees of severity and responded to gluten withdrawal with clinical improvement. Ten subjects with various unrelated diseases served as controls. Serum endomysium antibodies were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence method using a commercial kit. Duodenal biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical staining for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies was performed using commercial kit.
Results: Serum endomysium antibodies and evaluation of small bowel biopsy specimens were normal in all control subjects. However, serum endomysium antibodies were positive in all of the celiac patients. Immunohistochemical staining pattern of duodenal biopsy specimen performed using anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies was similar in celiac patients and control subjects.
Conclusion: Tissue transglutaminase expression by immunohistochemical methods in untreated celiac mucosa is not suitable for diagnosis of celiac disease.