Accession Number	<strong>00042737-200106000-00008</strong>.
Author	Fabiani, Elisabetta; Catassi, Carlo a; and the International Working Group on Eu-tTG
Institution	University Department of Paediatrics, Ancona, Italy (a)The International Working Group on Eu-tTG: S. De Rosa, N. Litwin. Servicio de Gastroenterologia, Hospital de Pediatria 'Juan P. Garrahan' and Istituto de Investigaciones Medicas 'De. A. Lanari', Buenos Aires, Argentina; H. Ellemunter, J. Eder. Kinderklinik, Innsbruck, Austria; L. Gandolfi, R. Pratesi. University Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Neurology, Brasilia, Brazil; S. Sulkanen, M. Maki. Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere and Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; A. Baquey, T. Lamireau. Laboratoire d'Hematologie-Immunologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France; F. Bienvenu, G. Beaune. Service de Biochimie Pediatrique, Hopital Debrousse, Lyon, France; J. Schmitz, A.M. Yamamoto. Groupe Hospitalier Necker, Enfants Malades, Paris, France; J. Schellscheidt, K.P. Zimmer. Klinik und Poliklinik fur Kinderheilkunde, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat, Munster, Germany; M. Stern. Gastro Labor, Univ. Kinderklinik, Tubingen, Germany; F.M. Stevens, M. Kearns. University Department of Medicine, Clinical Science Institute, Galway, Ireland; C. Catassi, E. Fabiani. University Department of Paediatrics, Ancona, Italy; M. Baldassarre, G. Di Bitonto. University Department of Paediatrics, Bari, Italy; M. Masi, R. Lazzari. University Department of Paediatrics, Bologna, Italy; P. Lionetti, G. Massai. University Department of Paediatrics, Firenze, Italy; M. Cingolani, E. Castellano. 3(rd) Department of Paediatrics, Genova, Italy; C. Sferlazzas, G. Di Pasquale. 2(nd) University Department of Paediatrics, Messina, Italy; G. Barera. 3(rd) University Department of Paediatrics, Hospital 'San Raffaele', Milano, Italy; P. Roggero. 1(st) University Department of Paediatrics, Milano, Italy; F. Balli, L. Viola. University Department of Paediatrics, Modena, Italy; R. Troncone, G. Iovine. University Department of Paediatrics, Napoli, Italy; G. Guariso, M. Plebani. University Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry Laboratory, Padova, Italy; F. Cataldo, P. Greco. University Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry Laboratory, Palermo, Italy; F. Cavataio, M. Di Gregorio. Department of Paediatrics and Biochemistry Laboratory, Children's Hospital 'G. Di Cristina', Palermo, Italy; G.L. De Angelis, M. Manfredi. University Department of Paediatrics, Parma, Italy; G. Ferraro, G. Castellucci. University Department of Paediatrics, Perugia, Italy; C. Romano, A. Caccamo. Department of Paediatrics and Tissue Typing Laboratory, Reggio Calabria, Italy; F. Colistro, M. Castro. Biochemistry Laboratory and Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hospital 'Bambino Geso', Roma, Italy; F. Viola, M. Barbato. Department of Paediatrics, University 'La Sapienza', Roma, Italy; M. Vascotto, G. Morgese. University Department of Paediatrics, Siena, Italy; N. Ansaldi-Balocco, M. Di Leo. University Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, OIRM S. Anna, Torino, Italy; A. Ventura, T. Not. University Department of Paediatrics, Trieste, Italy; C.J.J. Mulder, J. Kerckhaert. Rjinstate Hospital, Arnhem, Netherlands; C. Czismadia, M.L. Mearin. University Department of Paediatrics, Leiden, Netherlands; I. Polanco, M.M. Esteban. Servicio de Gastroenterologia y Nutrition Pediatrica and Servicio de Alergia Pediatrica, Hospital Enfantil Universitario 'La Paz', Madrid, Spain; G.K.T. Holmes. Department of Gastroenterology, Derbyshire Infirmary Hospital, Derby, UK; V. Mendez. Pereira Rossel Hospital, Montevideo, Uruguay; A. Fasano, K. Horvath. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UMAB, Baltimore, USA; S. Guandalini, H. Andrew. Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Chicago Children's Hospital, Chicago, USA; E. Bravi, M. Caradonna. Diagnostic Division, Eurospital S.p.A., Trieste, Italy.
Title	The serum IgA class anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies in the diagnosis and follow up of coeliac disease. Results of an international multi-centre study.[Article]
Source	European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 13(6):659-665, June 2001.
Abstract	Objectives: So far the reliability of the anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease has mostly been evaluated using slightly different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in selected and usually small groups of patients. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the reliability of the IgA anti-tTG antibodies for the diagnosis of coeliac disease; and (2) to define the sensitivity and specificity of a commercially available kit for the anti-tTG antibodies' quantitative determination. Design: Each centre in this international multi-centre study collected sera from three groups of subjects: coeliac disease patients at the onset of (1) or on a gluten-free diet for at least 12 months (2); disease and healthy controls (3). Methods: The anti-tTG antibodies were determined in duplicate using an ELISA-based commercially available kit (Eu-tTG Eurospital, Trieste, Italy). Results: The following overall cases and controls have been enrolled: (1) 399 subjects with active coeliac disease; (2) 351 treated coeliac disease cases; (3) 432 controls. The centralized re-testing was performed on: (1) group a: 176 patients with active coeliac disease (mean anti-tTG, 21 arbitrary units [AU]); (2) group b: 172 treated coeliac disease cases (mean anti-tTG, 5 AU); (3) group c: 206 controls (mean anti-tTG, 3 AU). In active coeliacs, the anti-tTG antibodies showed a significant progressive decrease with age, while in controls an opposite trend was found. In active coeliac disease patients, the anti-tTG antibodies were significantly higher in coeliacs with a grade III enteropathy than in those showing a grade II lesion. In treated coeliacs, the mean anti-tTG values were significantly lower in patients strictly adhering to a gluten-free diet than in those reporting dietary transgressions. The sensitivity and the specificity of the Eu-tTG assay were 90% and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the commercially available test for the anti-tTG antibodies' determination is a reproducible and valuable tool for the diagnosis and follow up of coeliac disease. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.