Deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies have recently been suggested as reliable tools for celiac disease (CD)
diagnosis. We compared their utility for diagnosis CD in comparison to the routinely used anti-endomysial,
and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. We studied 65 patients (17 men, 48 women; age range, 17– 63
years) who underwent intestinal biopsy because of clinical suspicion of small-bowel disorders. Serum
samples were obtained at the time of biopsy for measuring IgA and IgG anti–tissue transglutaminase (tTG),
IgA and IgG anti–deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) by ELISA and IgA anti-endomesial antibody (EmA) by
indirect immunoflouresce. Characterization of patients was based on histological criteria (Marsh type II
lesion or greater). Biopsy revealed that 14 patients had positive criteria for CD. The remaining 51 negative
patients were used as controls. Assay sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing celiac disease were 85.7%
and 92.2% for IgA and 92.9 and 100% for IgG antibodies to DGP respectively. Serum IgA and IgG DGP, IgA
and IgG -tTG and IgA EmA were significantly higher in CD patients than in control group (P= 0.000). None of
the controls was positive for IgG DGP or IgA -EmA, but 4 of 51 (7.8 %) were positive for IgA- DGP, 6 of 51
(11.8 %) were positive for IgA anti-tTG, and 2 of 51 (3.9%) were positive for IgG anti-tTG. IgG-DGP has the
best sensitivity (92.9%), specificity (100%), positive predictive value (100%), and negative predictive value
(96.2%). In conclusion, the DGP antibodies tests, alone or in combination with the tTG antibodies, are useful
tools for screening purposes and with better patient acceptance than intestinal biopsy.