Celiac and Non-Celiac Forms of Gluten Sensitivity: Shifting Paradigms of an Old Disease
Karol Sestak *
Division of Microbiology, Tulane National Primate Research Center and Tulane University School of Medicine, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
Ilana Fortgang
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Tulane Hospital for Children, 1415 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Gluten sensitivity is one of the prominent features of celiac disease (CD) which is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damaged lining of the small intestine. CD was known already to ancient Greeks as κοιλιακÏŒς (keeleeakoss) i.e. disease of the abdominal cavity hence celiac. Focus of this Commentary article is on rather complex definition of CD and its emerging new forms the example of which is non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It is becoming evident that to formulate more effective treatments, these associations and newly identified disease entities deserve attention from both academic and clinical communities.
Keywords: Celiac, gluten, autoimmunity, tissue transglutaminase.