The celiac disease diagnosis is often complex, even though one out of every 100 people in Argentina has this condition. A great piece of news, in this regard, came from Rosario scientists.
A team from the Joint Laboratory of Celiac Disease at the Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the UNR and the Gastroenterology service of the Centenario Hospital, developed a unique method to identify it quickly.
The importance of celiac disease diagnosis
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs when gluten consumption causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, inflammation, diarrhea, gas, and weight loss.
Celiac disease diagnosis.
Furthermore, it can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, and even difficulties in achieving pregnancy.
Not all people experience all the symptoms, and that is one of the challenges of the diagnosis.
In this context, this team of scientists created a diagnostic tool that allows quick and decisive identification of patients with this condition. The method, which is offered for free, is unique in the country.
The innovative method
The laboratory, which depends on the faculty, is responsible for “developing methodologies and techniques that surpass celiac disease.” They do this with the collaboration of Acela, the celiac assistance association of Argentina.
The new tool, which received a distinction at the Latin American Celiac Disease Symposium, is called Intraepithelial Lymphogram.
“The study was subsidized and approved by the National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development, and Innovation through the Scientific and Technological Research Fund,” detailed La Capital Fabián Pelusa, director of the group of researchers.
The biochemist explained that there are situations in which the patient’s symptoms, blood tests, and even video endoscopy are inconclusive regarding the diagnosis.
“One of the characteristics of the disease is that the person has increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, which could be present in any inflammatory process, but in celiac disease, they have special characteristics,” Pelusa added.
The importance of diagnosing celiac disease.
The research team behind the development
Alongside Pelusa, Eleonora Pezzarini, Cecilia Basiglio, Malén Hernández, and Lautaro Pretto worked.
Furthermore, the Gastroenterology service of the Provincial Centenario Hospital, led by Dr. Fernando Bessone; the person in charge of the Celiac Disease Clinic, Agustina Rodil, and the pathologist MarÃa de Luján Corbo, also participated.
