Antibodies against tissue transglutaminase

The determination of antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has applications in the diagnosis of celiac disease and intolerance to gluten. Celiac disease otherwise known as visceral disease is a genetic, autoimmune intestinal disease, occurring in genetically predisposed, manifested by the presence in the blood of IgA and IgG autoantibodies directed against the intestinal endomysium: anti-EMA and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG). Testing of these antibodies has a high sensitivity, Therefore, it is ordered in the first instance when suspicion of Celiac gluten intolerance with a genetic basis. In celiac disease the main role is played by anti-tTG antibodies in the IgA class. However, if a patient is found to be deficient in total antibodies to IgA (about 10% of pacejnts), then antibodies should be determined anti-tTg in the IgG class.