[Collagenous sprue (author's transl)].

Malabsorption is the main functional abnormality in gluten-sensitive enteropathy or endemic sprue. The malabsorption is related to villous flattening, which is the main histological feature. The diagnosis is also based on a good response to gluten-free diet. On the other hand, collagenous sprue is not an independent disease but a variant of gluten-sensitive enteropathy, as documented in three personal cases. Its course is characterised by a malabsorption syndrome unresponsive to gluten withdrawal, with massive subepithelial collagen formation. The pathogenesis remains unknown, prognosis poor, compared to the endemic gluten-sensitive enteropathy.