Post Date: December 16, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pediatric Journal Reports First Salivary Screening for Celiac Disease
New, noninvasive screening found effective in Italian children ages 6 to 8
Phoenix, Arizona___ The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition’s November 2010 issue evaluated a new noninvasive disease screening strategy for Celiac disease (CD). The study, which included some 5,000 Italian schoolchildren, had a specific goal, according to the abstract: “The aim was to identify CD in 6 to 8-year-old children for a timely diagnosis, start a gluten-free diet in compliant subjects, achieve the growth target, and prevent CD complications.”
According to the abstract, 4,048 saliva samples were tested for anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin (IgA) using a fluid-phase radioimmunoprecipitation method. Positive children were tested for serum radioimmunoassay tTG IgA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tTG IgA, and anti-endomysium IgA. Children confirmed as positive by serum assays underwent endoscopy with duodenal biopsies and, at the diagnosis of CD, were suggested to start a gluten-free diet.
The abstract concluded that, “We demonstrated that it is possible to perform powerful, simple, well-accepted, and sensitive CD screening using saliva…”
Cyrex Laboratories welcomed results of the new research because the company offers one noninvasive test to detect gluten sensitivity with the possibility of early stages of Celiac disease: The Array 1, Gluten Sensitivity Screen, can identify CD at its early stages via an oral fluid test. The company also offers the Array 3, Wheat/Gluten Proteome Sensitivity & Autoimmunity screen, which measures IgG and IgA antibodies against 12 potentially pathogenic molecules involved in CD and gluten sensitivity. Yet another test ─ the Array 4 Antibody screen for Gluten-Associated Sensitivity & Cross-Reactive Foods─ assesses 24 foods that are wither known to cross-react with gliadin, or are newly introduced on a gluten-free diet.
Commenting on the new research, Cyrex’s Scientific Consultant, Aristo Vojdani, Ph.D., said: “We are pleased that what Cyrex has advocated for a long time has been scientifically validated in this comprehensive study. Saliva testing can assist in the early detection of this prevalent disease. Once detected, the disorder can be treated with a gluten-free diet.”
Dr. Vojdani is a well-respected expert in immune function disorders and immunoassay technology. Among his many credentials, he testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on the existence of neuroimmunological disorders suffered by Persian Gulf War veterans.
People with untreated Celiac disease suffer intestinal damage when they eat products containing wheat, rye, or barley, according to the website, Celiac.com. “CD presents a broad range of symptoms from mild weakness to bone pain, to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss”, states the website. It also states that, “If people with Celiac disease continue to eat gluten, studies show that their risk of gastrointestinal cancer is 40 to 100 times that of the normal population…Recent studies and advances in diagnosis show that at least 3 million Americans, or about 1 in 133 people have Celiac disease, but only one person in 4,700 is ever diagnosed.”