🩸 A celiac test without gluten?

Hey readers! 👋

What a week it's been in the celiac world! We've got a potential diagnostic test that could spare patients from the dreaded gluten challenge, a new clinical trial recruiting participants, and some genuinely useful tools for navigating daily life with celiac disease. Plus, a sobering reminder of why access to safe food matters so much. Let's dive in!

Advances in celiac disease diagnosis: Q&A with Dr. Vahe Badalyan, MD offers encouraging news for parents hoping to spare their children from endoscopy. A multicenter study published in Pediatrics found that tissue transglutaminase IgA levels at least ten times the upper limit of normal predicted celiac disease in approximately 95% of children. – Innovation District, Children's National

This research fills a significant evidence gap for North American guidelines. However, the study also revealed that performance varied across different commercial assays, which means specialist evaluation remains essential before committing to a lifelong gluten-free diet. The takeaway for practitioners: these findings support a more individualized diagnostic approach, but confirmatory testing shouldn't be skipped.

Landmark test for coeliac disease promises to take away the pain of diagnosis describes a pioneering blood test developed by WEHI researchers and Novoviah Pharmaceuticals that detects celiac disease by measuring interleukin-2 signals triggered by gluten-specific T cells. – EurekAlert

Here's what makes this significant: unlike current methods requiring weeks of gluten re-exposure, this test can identify the disease even when patients are already on a strict gluten-free diet. In a study of 181 volunteers, the test achieved 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity.

The IL-2 response also correlated with symptom severity and remained reliable in patients with other autoimmune conditions. For the many people who went gluten-free before getting a formal diagnosis, this could be a welcome development.

Impact of standardized duodenal biopsy sampling on the diagnosis of ultrashort celiac disease highlights an often-missed subtype. Researchers found that ultrashort celiac disease, where villous atrophy is confined to the duodenal bulb, accounts for 4.5% of adult cases. – PubMed

The practical finding here is striking: after standardizing duodenal bulb biopsy sampling, detection of this subtype increased more than sevenfold. If you're a healthcare provider, this underscores why biopsy protocols matter. Patients with ultrashort celiac disease show typical digestive symptoms but may have lower antibody levels, making them easier to miss without proper sampling.

Now enrolling patients in the FB102-301 study investigating a potential new celiac drug announces that the Celiac Disease Foundation's phase-2 trial is actively recruiting adults aged 18-70 who have maintained a gluten-free diet for at least a year. – Celiac Disease Foundation

FB102 is a monoclonal antibody designed to block immune signals triggered by gluten. The 33-week study includes eight intravenous infusions, with 80% of participants receiving the active drug. Compensation and travel assistance are provided. For those interested in contributing to celiac research while potentially accessing new treatments, this is worth exploring.

Q&A with Erin Heidenreich, Dietitian Lead for the Spoonful Gluten-Free App introduces a free barcode-scanning app that helps users quickly determine whether products are gluten-free. – Celiac Disease Foundation

The app uses a simple color-coded system: green for safe, yellow for potentially problematic ingredients, and red for items containing gluten. What sets Spoonful apart is that it was built by dietitians with celiac expertise, not just tech developers. The app also includes a product discovery feed for finding safe alternatives.

Heidenreich's emphasis on specialized dietitian guidance is worth repeating. While apps are helpful tools, they work best alongside professional support.

The Future of Gluten Detection: Smart Tools That Could Change Life With Celiac Disease surveys emerging technologies including portable testing devices, conceptual smart utensils, wearable sensors, and smart kitchen environments. – Celiac.com

Many of these tools remain experimental, but the article provides a useful overview of what's on the horizon. The key point: these innovations are meant to complement, not replace, established dietary practices and medical guidance.

Traveling Abroad at 19: "I am Celiac" shares Gracie Cook's experience navigating Europe with newly diagnosed celiac disease. – Beyond Celiac

Her trip through Barcelona, Rome, Florence, and Paris proved that with preparation, gluten-free travel is entirely manageable. Key strategies included leveraging local markets, using a multilingual gluten-free card app, and pre-ordering airline meals.

For anyone hesitant about international travel, this firsthand account offers practical reassurance.

When Gluten-Free Food Is Unavailable: A Child's Struggle Highlights the Hidden Risks for People with Celiac Diseaserecounts the tragic case of a young girl in Gaza whose celiac disease became fatal due to war-driven food shortages. – Celiac.com

This piece serves as an important reminder that gluten-free food is a medical necessity, not a preference. Standard humanitarian aid often includes gluten-containing staples, leaving people with celiac disease dangerously vulnerable. The article calls for inclusive emergency planning that accounts for specialized dietary requirements.

That's all for this week! Whether you're exploring new diagnostic options with your healthcare provider, considering a clinical trial, or planning your next adventure abroad, we hope these updates help you navigate life with celiac disease a little more confidently.

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