Transglutaminase IgA - Stool

Description

Faecal anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies indicate a reaction of the immune system to the tissue transglutaminase enzyme produced by the body when gluten is ingested, leading to an autoimmune reaction that may destroy the intestinal lining or other tissues in the body.

Stool analysis for antibodies against gluten-related antigens may be a more sensitive assessment to gluten/immune reactions than serum antibody assessments. Positive faecal anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (produced in situ by the intestinal mucosal) result from a specific immune reaction to gluten in the digestive tract, and may be present in the absence of similar antibodies in serum, especially in the absence of the typical coeliac disease-related damage to the intestinal tract (i.e., villous atrophy). This represents the immune/inflammatory response to gluten that may be ongoing without any apparent damage to the gut or without any elevated serum antibody titres. Intestinal gluten antibody assessments may be a more accurate method of detecting gluten intolerance reactions, and may reflect such immune reaction before, or in the absence of any traditional serum evaluations.