Gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (coeliac disease) is a permanent intestinal intolerance to gliadin that produces lesions (most likely immunologically mediated) in genetically susceptible individuals. Important advances have been made in the past decade, mainly in the understanding of genetic basis and aberration of the mucosal immune response in coeliac patients. This article also discusses the entire spectrum of gluten-sensitive disease and the relevant new terminology (e.g., silent, latent, or potential coeliac disease). Finally, new information on epidemiology, laboratory tests, and diagnosis is provided.