Why is coeliac disease endemic in the people of the Sahara?

Lancet. 1999 Aug 21;354(9179):647-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(99)02609-4.

Abstract

The prevalence of antiendomysial antibody (AEA) in 989 Saharawi children was 5.6%. Intestinal biopsies in a subsample confirmed that AEA is a marker of coellac disease in people living in a developing country.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Africa, Northern / epidemiology
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease / epidemiology*
  • Celiac Disease / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Infant
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin A