Experiences and perceptions of people with celiac disease, food allergies and food intolerance when dining out

Introduction

Eating out is a common practice in modern society. Celiac disease (CeD) and food allergy (FA) are among the most common conditions responsible for adverse reactions to food. Despite their different origins, both require treatment with restrictive diets (avoidance of gluten and/or specific allergens) and this results posing similar challenges when eating out. Our objective was to learn about the experiences/perceptions of consumers with CeD and FA when dining out, as well as the challenges they face in food service environments.

Methods

An ad hoc questionnaire was used to record consumer perceptions, food service characteristics and resulting adverse reactions.

Results

377 individuals living in Santiago, Chile, provided complete information and were analyzed (160 CeD, 105 FA). 301 participants (79.8%) declared eating out, 33.6% reported experiencing an adverse reaction at least once while eating out. 94.4% of the 377 participants believed that the serving staff had little or no knowledge about his/her condition. Consumers reporting symptoms as severe adverse reactions were more common among celiac than allergic patients (p < 0.001).

Discussion

The study showed no significant differences based on consumer-related characteristics (p:NS). The consequences of eating out did not vary based on individual's data, including diagnosis, age, frequency of eating out, adverse reactions experienced, or intensity. These findings suggest that the most important determinants of risk associated with eating out are characteristics of the food service, like availability of information, staff training, and establishment's facilities like equipment available, exclusive utensils for customers with special dietary needs and kitchen and bathrooms organization.

Proton and Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Operable Early-Stage Lung Cancer: 3-Year Results of a Prospective Nationwide Registry

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The purpose of this analysis was to report subset analysis as to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of particle-beam radiation therapy for operable early-stage lung cancer.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients of early-stage lung cancer (T1-T2aN0) who were eligible for radical surgery but did not wish to undergo surgery were treated by proton-ion (PT) or carbon-ion (CT) radiation therapy and enrolled in Japanese prospective registry. In this analysis, PFS and OS by clinical stage, tumor location, pathological confirmation and particle-ion type were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 274 patients were enrolled and included in efficacy and safety analyses. Most tumors were adenocarcinoma (44%), and 105 (38%) were not histologically confirmed and diagnosed clinically. 250 (91%) of 274 patients had tumors that were peripherally situated. 138 (50%) and 136 (50%) patients were treated by PT and CT, respectively. The median follow-up time for all censored patients was 42.8 months (IQR 36.7 - 49.0). No grade 3 or severe treatment-related toxicity was observed. 3-year PFS was 81% (95% CI;76-86) and OS was 93% (95% CI;89-96), respectively. As to particle-ion type, 3-year PFS were 79.0% and 81.9% in PT and CT (p = 0.19), and 3-year OS were 93.9% and 91.1% in PT and CT (P = 0.72), respectively. For PFS, pathological confirmation, clinical stage was significant factors but there were no significant differences by tumor location or particle-ion type; for OS, clinical stage was significant factor but there was no significant difference on pathological confirmation, tumor location or particle-ion type (Table1). Table 1. 3-year PFS and OS CONCLUSION: Particle therapy for operable early-stage lung cancer resulted in excellent 3-year OS and PFS on each subset.

Heavy Metal and Rice in Gluten-Free Diets: Are They a Risk?

A gluten-free diet (GFD) is the treatment of choice for gluten-related disorders. It has been associated with macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. Recently, consumption of arsenic-contaminated rice has raised concern because of the potential greater risk that it may represent for people on GFDs, whose rice consumption is high, since it is a fundamental cereal in GFDs. We reviewed the data published over the last 20 years in Medline and Scielo, in English, French and Spanish, on four metals (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb), to assess whether the evidence suggests that celiac disease or consumption of a GFD is associated with increased levels of blood/urinary metal concentrations. The review revealed a few articles that were directly related to the four metals and their relationships with a GFD. The evidence supports that rice-based products are a relevant source of As and other metals. Clinical studies and evaluations based on NHANES have indicated that persons on GFDs have higher As and Hg blood/urinary levels, suggesting that the diet and not the disease is responsible for it. The levels described are statistically significant compared to those of persons on complete diets, but far from toxic levels. The question of whether higher exposure to heavy metals associated with a GFD is biologically relevant remains unanswered and deserves study.

Commercial oats in gluten-free diet: A persistent risk for celiac patients

Background

Gluten-free diet is the treatment of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders and excludes wheat, rye, and barley, while oats inclusion/exclusion has long been a matter of debate. A logo or catchphrase indicating the gluten-free condition in a product is all the consumer relies on to accept the product as suitable for his/her treatment. The oat-based gluten-free products represents a small market, which may have changed, and become more limited during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To assess gluten contamination in all labeled oat-based gluten-free local and imported products available in the market, comparing them to matched regular gluten containing counterparts. As a secondary objective, unconventional flours available in the same sale points were also assessed.

Results

The search yielded 25 gluten-free labeled oat flours, rolled, and instant cereals, which were compared to 27 regular gluten containing equivalents. Gluten content was above the local (5 ppm) and the Codex Alimentarius cutoff (20 ppm) in 40 and 36% of the gluten-free labeled products, respectively. When all positive products were analyzed together, there were no differences in gluten content between labeled and unlabeled products. Locally produced products were more expensive, while rolled/instant oats were less contaminated than flours (p = 0.01). Precautionary labels advising presence of gluten as allergen was omitted in 37.0% of regular products. Only 33.3% of unconventional flours obtained from open markets and sold in bulk, were gluten contaminated.

Conclusion

Oat-based gluten-free products are currently highly contaminated. It is urgent to regulate them and implement protocols that allow safe consumption of these products.

[Gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis in children]

INTRODUCTION

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic disease, with high morbidity and mortality, and its early diag nosis improves results. Lung conditions are the main cause of morbidity and mortality and are clo sely related to nutritional status and survival. There is little national information about the liver and gastrointestinal characteristics in pediatric patients with CF.

OBJECTIVE

to describe at a gastrointes tinal level, the general, nutritional, and genetic characteristics and the evolution of CF carriers with/ without neonatal screening.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Retrospective study carried out in 4 public referral hospitals in the Metropolitan Region. The diagnosis of CF confirmed with two positive sweat tests (Gibson and Cooke method) was considered as an inclusion criterion. Those patients with unconfir med neonatal screening tests through Immunoreactive Trypsinogen (IRT) or with only one positive sweat test were excluded. Sex, age, nutritional status, date of diagnosis, clinical presentation at the onset, evolution, and therapies received were recorded as clinical variables, and as laboratory ones, genetic study by means of a diagnostic panel with 36 mutations. The STATA 12 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

127 patients were included. Respiratory manifestations (recurrent obstructive bronchial syndrome and pneumonia) were present in >60% and gastrointestinal ones (mainly malabsorption and malnutrition syndrome) in >80% of patients. On average, diagnostic confirmation took 4 months. The diagnosis guided by IRT was associated with better nutritional outcomes in the evolution of the patient. In 81.1% of the patients, the genetic study was performed. The most frequent mutations were those associated with DF508 (deletion of phenylalanine 508). 5.8% of the patients presented mutations not included in the gene panel used.

CONCLUSIONS

Gas trointestinal CF appears with pancreatic, intestinal, and hepatic pathology throughout life. Malnutri tion is a frequently present factor, which worsens the prognosis. The management of gastrointestinal manifestations and malnutrition are relevant to improve the morbidity and mortality of CF patients.

[Hepatic glycogen storage diseases: Symptoms, management and associated mutations]

Glycogen storage diseases (GSD) are rare diseases derived from altered glycogen metabolism. This leads to glycogen storage in different organs such as muscle, kidney, and liver, resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations. GSD with liver involvement are classified into types I, III, IV, VI, and IX, depending on the enzymes affected. They are clinically characterized by hypoglycemia and hepato megaly as cardinal signs. Their diagnosis is initially based on clinical manifestations and laboratory test results. Nevertheless, diagnostic certainty requires a genetic study that identifies the specific mutation. Multiple mutations have been associated with each GSD. In Chile, since patients often lack the genetic study, the GSD genetic local characteristics are unknown. The treatment is based on dietary restrictions modulated according to the identified mutation. Today, the international consen sus indicates that early diagnosis allows better metabolic control and improves the patient's quality of life and prognosis. In this review, the information on GSD with liver involvement is updated to optimize the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of these patients, emphasizing specific nutritional and gastroenterological management.

Pandemic Effects and Gluten-Free Diet: An Adherence and Mental Health Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has been present for many months, influencing diets such as the gluten-free diet (GFD), which implies daily challenges even in non-pandemic conditions. Persons following the GFD were invited to answer online ad hoc and validated questionnaires characterizing self-perceptions of the pandemic, current clinical condition, dietary characteristics, adherence to GFD, anxiety, and depression. Of 331 participants, 87% experienced shortage and higher cost of food and 14.8% lost their jobs. Symptoms increased in 29% and 36.6% failed to obtain medical help. Although 52.3% increased food preparation at home and purchased alternative foodstuffs, 53.8% had consumed gluten-containing foods. The Health Eating Index was intermediate/"needs improvement" (mean 65.6 ± 13.3 points); in 49.9% (perception) and 44.4% (questionnaire), adherence was "bad". Anxiety and depression scores were above the cutoff in 28% and 40.4%, respectively. Adherence and mental health were strongly related. The likelihood of poor adherence was 2.3 times higher (p < 0.004) in participants declaring that pandemic altered GFD. Those suffering depressive symptoms were 1.3 times more likely to have poor adherence (p < 0.000). Depression and faulty GFD (mandatory for treatment) appear, affecting a high proportion of participants, suggesting that support measures aimed at these aspects would help improve the health condition of people that maintain GFD. Comparisons of data currently appearing in the literature available should be cautious because not only cultural aspects but conditions and timing of data collection are most variable.

Mediterranean Gluten-Free Diet: Is It a Fair Bet for the Treatment of Gluten-Related Disorders?

Gluten-free diet (GFD) is the current treatment of gluten-related disorders. It eliminates wheat, barley, and rye, while the exclusion of oats is still under debate. GFD is based on a combination of naturally gluten-free foods and gluten-free substitutes of cereal-based foods. Although effective as treatment of gluten-related disorders, today there is concern about how to improve GFD's nutritional quality, to make it not only gluten-free, but also healthy. The "Mediterranean diet" (MedD) refers to the dietary pattern and eating habits typical of populations living in the Mediterranean basin, which have been associated with low prevalence of several diet-related pathologies. Here we present a narrative review of the current knowledge about GFD and MedD, their characteristics and central food components. Based on the Mediterranean diet pyramid developed by the Italian pediatric society, we propose a combination between the MedD and the GFD, an attractive alternative to reach a gluten-free state that at the same time is healthy, with a clear benefit to those who practice it.

Health related quality of life in celiac children and adolescents

INTRODUCTION

The lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the treatment of celiac disease (CD). Being a restrictive diet, it limits daily life and can impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our objective was to assess HRQoL of celiac patients on a GFD, the concordance between patients - caregivers, and to compare the local results with international data.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Patients aged 8-18 years on a GFD for >6months (37 dyads) were evaluated. The "Celiac Disease Dutch Questionnaire" (CDDUX) was applied, which evaluates in two questionnaires (one applied to the child and another one to the caregiver/parent), three areas: i) having CD, ii) communication with others, and iii) the diet. Reliability, dimensionality, and internal consistency were assessed using the Cronbach coefficient.

RESULTS

More than 50% of patients and caregivers reported "well/very well" on sub-scales "having CD" and "GFD"; "communication" showed high percentages of "bad/very bad". Although there were no significant differences in HRQoL (global and subscale) perceived by patients and caregivers, there were when analyzing the answers of caregivers, who assigned better scores to boys (p=0.022) and to patients maintaining a non-strict GFD (p=0.049). Concordance between patients and caregivers was 39.2%.

DISCUSSION

HRQoL of the assessed celiac children was satisfactory, among the best repor ted in Latin America. "Having CD" and the need for a "GFD" have less influence on HRQoL than "communication" with others about the disease. The concordance found suggests that the caregivers' perception does not necessarily reflect what patients perceive.

A miRNA-Based Blood and Mucosal Approach for Detecting and Monitoring Celiac Disease

BACKGROUND

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in celiac disease (CD) is unclear.

AIMS

We evaluated inflammation-related miRNA-146a, miRNA-155, miRNA-21, and miRNA-125b expression in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of CD adults.

METHODS

Thirty patients with CD were included: patients with active CD on a gluten-containing diet (CD-active, n = 10), patients on a gluten-free diet (for at least 1 year), and patients with negative blood antibodies (CD-inactive^PE, n = 10). In addition, ten healthy volunteers formed the comparison/control group. MiRNA expression was measured in duodenal biopsies from patients (CD-inactive^MU, n = 10) after in vitro exposure to PT gliadin and 33-mer peptide. MiRNAs expression was measured in plasma and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monocytes, before and after in vitro exposure to native gliadin (gliadin^N).

RESULTS

Expression levels of miRNA-146a, miRNA-155, and miRNA-21 in PBMCs, miRNA-155 in monocytes and miRNA-155, miRNA-21, and miRNA-125b in plasma were elevated in both groups of celiac patients. After in vitro exposure with gliadin^N, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 expression markedly increased in PBMCs and monocytes, while miRNA-155 and miRNA-21 increased in the CD-active group. MiRNAs expression in intestinal mucosa did not change. MiRNA-146a and miRNA-155 expression showed high sensitivity and specificity for the presence of CD, irrespective of the current dietary treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected inflammation-related miRNAs expression is elevated in the peripheral blood of celiac. This suggests their participation in the immune processes underlying the pathology. Their similar response in active and inactive CD suggests that they should be further evaluated, as potential diagnostic biomarkers for CD.

Living with Gluten and Other Food Intolerances: Self-Reported Diagnoses and Management

People suffering from a food intolerance (FI) tend to initiate restrictive diets such as a gluten-free diet (GFD), to alleviate their symptoms. To learn about how people live with these problems in daily life (independent of their medical diagnoses), 1203 participants answered a previously validated questionnaire and were divided into: G1 (those self-reporting symptoms after gluten consumption) and G2 (those informing no discomfort after gluten consumption). Self-reported clinical characteristics, diagnoses and diets followed were registered. Twenty nine percent referred some FI (8.5% in G1). In G1, self-reported diagnoses were more frequent (p < 0.0001), including a high proportion of eating and mood disorders. Diagnoses were reported to be given by a physician, but GFD was indicated by professional and nonprofessional persons. In G2, despite declaring no symptoms after gluten consumption, 11.1% followed a GFD. The most frequent answer in both groups was that GFD was followed “to care for my health”, suggesting that some celiac patients do not acknowledge it as treatment. Conclusion: close to one third of the population report suffering from some FI. Those perceiving themselves as gluten intolerant report more diseases (p < 0.0001). A GFD is followed by ~11% of those declaring no symptoms after gluten ingestion. This diet is perceived as a healthy eating option.

Changes in Age at Diagnosis and Nutritional Course of Celiac Disease in the Last Two Decades

The frequency of celiac disease (CD) has increased along time, with relevant changes reported in geographical variations, clinical presentation and nutritional repercussions. In recent years, some celiac patients are presenting overweight/obesity, but it is unclear how frequent this is and to what extent undernutrition remains a concern. This is relevant because CD tends to be overlooked in overweight patients. With this in mind, we assessed age at diagnosis, clinical characteristics and nutritional status of 155 celiac patients diagnosed between 1994–2017 in four pediatric hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Since 2003, the number of patients diagnosed has increased (p < 0.0033), coinciding with antitransglutaminase and antiendomysial antibodies becoming available to public health systems. In 2000, 4.5% of patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis, suggesting that active search is not routinely applied. Gastrointestinal symptoms plus failure to thrive were significantly more frequent under 2 years (p = 0.0001). Nutritional status has improved at diagnosis and during follow up, but undernutrition remains more frequent in children <2 and <5 years (p < 0.002 and p < 0.0036, respectively). Overweight at diagnosis was reported in 2002 and obesity in 2010. After initiating treatment, since 2010, patients changing from undernourishment to overweight has sometimes been observed after only 6 months on a gluten-free diet.

Dietary Gluten as a Conditioning Factor of the Gut Microbiota in Celiac Disease

The gut microbiota plays a relevant role in determining an individual's health status, and the diet is a major factor in modulating the composition and function of gut microbiota. Gluten constitutes an essential dietary component in Western societies and is the environmental trigger of celiac disease. The presence/absence of gluten in the diet can change the diversity and proportions of the microbial communities constituting the gut microbiota. There is an intimate relation between gluten metabolism and celiac disease pathophysiology and gut microbiota; their interrelation defines intestinal health and homeostasis. Environmental factors modify the intestinal microbiota and, in turn, its changes modulate the mucosal and immune responses. Current evidence from studies of young and adult patients with celiac disease increasingly supports that dysbiosis (i.e., compositional and functional alterations of the gut microbiome) is present in celiac disease, but to what extent this is a cause or consequence of the disease and whether the different intestinal diseases (celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease) have specific change patterns is not yet clear. The use of bacterial-origin enzymes that help completion of gluten digestion is of interest because of the potential application as coadjuvant in the current treatment of celiac disease. In this narrative review, we address the current knowledge on the complex interaction between gluten digestion and metabolism, celiac disease, and the intestinal microbiota.

The 5 Ws of a gluten challenge for gluten-related disorders

Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are gradually emerging as epidemiologically relevant diseases, with a global prevalence estimated to be approximately 5% in the population. Conditions related to gluten ingestion include celiac disease (CD), wheat allergy (WA), and nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Although mediated by different pathogenic pathways, these 3 conditions share similar clinical manifestations and can present a difficult differential diagnosis. The gluten challenge (GC) is an important diagnostic tool for GRDs, but there is great variability in regards to deciding which patients should be challenged, what amount of gluten should be used, what the GC duration should be, when and where the GC should occur, and, sometimes, why to conduct a GC. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the desirable characteristics of GCs in the 3 main GRDs following a 5 Ws approach-that is, the 5 main journalistic questions: who, what, when, where, why. The answers will help to determine the correct use of the GC in diagnosing GRDs.

Chronic copper treatment prevents the liver critical balance transcription response induced by acetaminophen

The independent toxic effects of copper and acetaminophen are among the most studied topics in liver toxicity. Here, in an animal model of Cebus capucinus chronically exposed to high dietary copper, we assessed clinical and global transcriptional adaptations of the liver induced by a single high dose of acetaminophen. The experiment conditions were chosen to resemble a close to human real-life situation of exposure to both toxic stimuli. The clinical parameters and histological analyses indicated that chronic copper administration does not induce liver damage and may have a protective effect in acetaminophen challenge. Acetaminophen administration in previously non-exposed animals induced down-regulation of a complex network of gene regulators, highlighting the putative participation of the families of gene regulators HNF, FOX, PPAR and NRF controlling this process. This gene response was not observed in animals that previously received chronic oral copper, suggesting that this metal induces a transcriptional adaptation that may protect against acetaminophen toxicity, a classical adaptation response termed preconditioning of the liver.

[Characterization of celiac disease in chilean public hospitals]

INTRODUCTION

The worldwide prevalence of celiac disease (CD) is ~1% of the population. In Chile, the National Health Survey 2009-2010 showed a serological prevalence in individuals older than 15 years of 0.76% (IgA-tTG2), which corresponded in Concepción to 0.6%.

OBJECTIVE

Determine cli nical characteristics, search, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of CD in the two public hospitals in Concepción that have a Gastroenterology Department.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Descriptive study. Data were collected from electronic medical records (CIE10 code) and medical records of patients youn ger than 18 years of age, assessed for CD during 2010 - 2016 from two public hospitals in the city of Concepción, Chile. Cases whose diagnostic protocol met the ESPGHAN 2012 criteria (confirmation with intestinal biopsy), 207 out of 216 identified patients met the inclusion criteria. The nutritional status was classified according to age group (in children under five years old by WHO 2006 and in children between five and 18 years old by WHO 2007). The Z-score (Z) was calculated using the WHO Anthro software (in children under five years old) and WHO Anthro Plus software (in those between five and 18 years old). Antiendomysial antibodies were assessed by immunofluorescence test in cuts of the esophagus of mono, IgA and IgG anti-transglutaminase antibodies via ELISA, as well as serum IgA.

RESULTS

CD was confirmed by duodenal biopsies in 33.8% of the patients. IgA-tTG was identified in 70% and IgG-tTG in 52.9%, although only two patients had IgA deficiency. The main reasons for consultation were gastrointestinal (80%) and/or referral by an endocrinologist (45.7%). The main clinical presentation was gastrointestinal, with diarrhea (71.4%). 17.1% of the patients had Down syndrome (DS), 11.4% short stature, and 5.7% had type 1 diabetes mellitus. At diagnosis, the obesitymalnutrition ratio (Z-score BMI) was 2:1 and 6.8% of the patients were obese. One year after diagnosis, in 26 patients without DS, the frequency of eutrophic patients decreased from 65.4% to 42.3%, increasing overweight from 23.1% to 34.6% and obesity from 0 to 7.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

In Con cepción, endocrinologists conduct a significant and successful active search of CD, being responsible for 47.3% of the diagnoses. The high proportion of overweight/obese patients is consistent with the phenomenon currently described in Chile and other countries.

[Perception of following gluten-free diet and adherence to treatment in pediatric patients with celiac disease]

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy present in ~1% of population. Gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for this condition and the main limitation of its efficacy is the lack of adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess factors influencing adherence to GFD in pediatric patients and measure the concordance between serological results and a nutritional adhe rence questionnaire.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

celiac patients younger than 18 years of age, diagnosed CD following ESPGHAN criteria, on GFD for at least 6 months and consulting at Hospital Roberto del Río, Santiago, in 2008-2016, were assessed. Clinical presentation, nutritional evaluation and fac tors related to adherence to treatment (diet) were registered. A subsample answered Biaggi's nutri tional questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of 65 evaluated patients, 44% and 30,1% adhered to GFD according to blood autoantibodies (TTG and EMA) and the adherence questionnaire, respectively. "Age at debut" (p = 0.049), "perception of following GFD correctly" (p = 0.002) and "behavior in social events" (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with adherence to GFD. There was concordance between serological test and Biagi's questionnaire (p = 0.0001).

DISCUSSION

Adherence to GFD was lower than reported in literature. Intervention of some of the identified variables associated with adherence may help improving follow-up of celiac patients, especially those that due to diverse situations cannot measure their antibodies periodically.

Corrigendum: Helicobacter pylori cagA+ Is Associated with Milder Duodenal Histological Changes in Chilean Celiac Patients

[This corrects the article on p. 376 in vol. 7, PMID: 28879170.].

Helicobacter pylori cagA+ Is Associated with Milder Duodenal Histological Changes in Chilean Celiac Patients

HIGHLIGHTS

What is already known about this subject?

Celiac disease (CD) has a high clinical and histological diversity and the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain elusive.

H. pylori is a bacterium that chronically infect gastric and duodenal mucosa activating both a Th1/Th17 and T-reg pathways.

The role of H. pylori (and the effect of their virulence factors) in CD have not yet completely elucidated.

What are the new findings?

cagA+ H. pylori strains are associated to milder histological damage in infected CD patients.

In active-CD patients the presence of cagA+ H. pylori is associated to an increase in T-reg markers, contrasting with a downregulation in cagA+ infected potential-CD individuals.

How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

The identification of microbiological factors that could modulate inflammation and clinical expression of CD may be used in the future as preventive strategies or as supplementary treatment in patients that cannot achieve complete remission, contributing to the better care of these patients.

Background: Mechanisms underlying the high clinical and histological diversity of celiac disease (CD) remain elusive. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) chronically infects gastric and duodenal mucosa and has been associated with protection against some immune-mediated conditions, but its role (specifically of cagA+ strains) in CD is unclear.

Objective: To assess the relationship between gastric Hp infection (cagA+ strains) and duodenal histological damage in patients with CD.

Design: Case-control study including patients with active-CD, potential-CD and non-celiac individuals. Clinical presentation, HLA genotype, Hp/cagA gene detection in gastric mucosa, duodenal histology, Foxp3 positive cells and TGF-β expression in duodenal lamina propria were analyzed.

Results: We recruited 116 patients, 29 active-CD, 37 potential-CD, and 50 non-CD controls. Hp detection was similar in the three groups (~30–40%), but cagA+ strains were more common in infected potential-CD than in active-CD (10/11 vs. 4/10; p = 0.020) and non-CD (10/20; p = 0.025). Among active-CD patients, Foxp3 positivity was significantly higher in subjects with cagA+ Hp+ compared to cagA- Hp+ (p < 0.01) and Hp- (p < 0.01). In cagA+ Hp+ individuals, Foxp3 positivity was also higher comparing active- to potential-CD (p < 0.01). TGF-β expression in duodenum was similar in active-CD with cagA+ Hp+ compared to Hp- and was significantly downregulated in cagA+ potential-CD subjects compared to other groups.

Conclusion: Hp infection rates were similar among individuals with/without CD, but infection with cagA+ strains was associated with milder histological damage in celiac patients infected by Hp, and in active-CD cases with higher expression of T-reg markers. Results suggest that infection by cagA+ Hp may be protective for CD progression, or conversely, that these strains are prone to colonize intestinal mucosa with less severe damage.