Gliadin challenge can help patients get celiac diagnosis

Patients who do not get a confirmed celiac diagnosis from standard tests could obtain one from an in vitro gliadin challenge, in which biopsied duodenal mucosa are tested using the toxic part of wheat gluten called gliadin, according to a study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. University of Salerno researchers said the challenge method is helpful for patients who are on a gluten-free diet prior to the biopsy because they do not have to revert to eating gluten foods to achieve the diagnosis. http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ajg2011311a.html