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  • Title: Coeliac disease in Libyan children: a screening study based on the rapid determination of anti-transglutaminase antibodies.
    Author: Alarida K, Harown J, Ahmaida A, Marinelli L, Venturini C, Kodermaz G, Tozzoli R, Mandolesi A, Bearzi I, Catassi C.
    Journal: Dig Liver Dis; 2011 Sep; 43(9):688-91. PubMed ID: 21310672.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is a common disorder in North Africa; however, there are no data on coeliac disease prevalence in Libya. AIM: (1) To determine coeliac disease prevalence in Libyan schoolchildren by screening with a rapid test for IgA anti-transglutaminase determination on a blood drop; (2) to evaluate the accuracy of the rapid anti-transglutaminase test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We screened 2920 students (1452 females and 1468 males) attending school in El Beida (Libya) by the rapid anti-transglutaminase test. Conventional ELISA anti-transglutaminase in rapid test positives and small intestinal biopsy in ELISA positives were performed for coeliac disease diagnosis. Conventional IgA anti-transglutaminase was performed also in 800 rapid test negative subjects. RESULTS: The rapid anti-transglutaminase test was positive in 50/2920 (1.7%) subjects but only 20/50 were confirmed by the ELISA determination. The diagnosis of coeliac disease was biopsy-confirmed in 19 out of these 20. The serum ELISA IgA anti-transglutaminase was positive in 4 out of 800 rapid test negative children. Coeliac disease prevalence was 0.79-1.13%. CONCLUSIONS: Coeliac disease in Libyan children is as common as in Europe, affecting around 1% of the general population. The rapid test for IgA anti-transglutaminase determination on a blood drop was not an efficient screening test.
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