Inflammatory cell count and identification in specific duodenitis. (Celiac disease, Whipple's disease and Crohn's disease). Comparison with jejunal findings.

The authors studied the count and identification of inflammatory cells in duodenal biopsies of specific duodenitis. In celiac disease there is an increase of lymphocytes in the epithelial layer, and rich population of plasmacells in the lamina propria of duodenal mucosa. In Whipple's disease the reticulum cell component of lamina propria is increased, while total inflammatory cells are within normal limits, and both lymphocytes and plasmacells are decreased. The comparison between duodenal and jejunal findings shows similar data in celiac and Whipple's disease. In Crohn's disease the inflammatory cell count differs from controls only in presence of radiological or endoscopical features of duodenal involvement.