Immunological abnormalities in coeliac disease and their response to dietary restriction. II. Immunoglobulin containing cells, immunoglobulins and dietary antibodies in the small bowel.

The numbers of immunoglobulin (Ig) containing cells in jejunal mucosa were determined in 29 patients with untreated coeliac disease and 28 control subjects. The patients had significantly increased numbers of IgM containing cells. Seven of the patients were studied again after 12 months on a gluten-free diet and showed a significant reduction in the number of IgM containing cells. The increase noted in untreated patients is therefore likely to be a manifestation of the disease rather than a primary abnormality of aetiological significance.