Significantly higher faecal counts of the yeasts and identified in people with coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder resulting from an interaction between diet, genome and immunity. The treatment of CoeD is lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet, which is associated with clinical and histological improvements. However, a substantive number of individuals report only partial symptom improvement despite both compliance with a strict gluten free diet and improvements in serological and histological biomarkers of disease activity. The role of the intestinal microbiota is an area of interest in this sub-group.

AIMS

To investigate the role of yeasts and parasites in individuals reporting persistent symptoms of Coeliac disease (CoeD).

METHODS

Forty-five people who met the ESPGHAN diagnostic criteria for CoeD were recruited via the Australian Coeliac Association. The faecal measures of the DNA of yeasts and parasites from the CoeD group were compared to data obtained from the medical records of non-coeliac controls with gastrointestinal symptoms from other causes.

RESULTS

sp. was detected in 33% of the CoeD group compared 0% of the control group (p = 0.000) and sp. was detected in 33% of the CoeD group compared to 10% of the control group (p = 0.026). There were no differences in the presence of any of the parasite species measured.

CONCLUSION

Further research is required to understand the significance of C and species in both the aetiology of CoeD and of persistent symptoms in this sub-group. Clinical Trial Registration-ANZCTR Number: 12610000630011.