Original Article     OPEN ACCESS

Celiac disease in native Indians from Brazil: A clinical and epidemiological survey

Shirley Ramos da Rosa Utiyama, PhD1, João Luis Coelho Ribas, M.Cs1, Renato Mitsunori Nisihara, M.Cs1, Lorete Maria da Silva Kotze, MD, PhD2, Iara José de Messias-Reason, PhD1

1Laboratory of Immunopathology, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
2Cajuru Hospital, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Citation: da Rosa Utiyama SR, Ribas JLC, Nisihara RM, da Silva Kotze LM, de Messias-Reason IJ. Celiac disease in native Indians from Brazil: A clinical and epidemiological survey. North Am J Med Sci 2010; 2:138-142.   
Doi: 10.4297/najms.2010.3138
Availability: www.najms.org
ISSN: 1947 – 2714

Abstract
Background: Celiac disease has been described in populations from around the world, with recent data emphasizing the occurrence of the disease in ethnic minorities. There are only a few studies evaluating celiac disease in native Indians. Aims: This study aimed to screen the anti-endomysial antibody (IgA-EmA) in Kaingang and Guarani Indians from southern Brazil, in order to establish a clinical serological evaluation of celiac disease in these individuals. Material and Methods: Serum samples from 321 individuals (125 male and 196 female; 4-86 years old) from Mangueirinha Indigenous Reserve, State of Parana, Brazil, and 180 non-Indigenous healthy individuals (62 male and 118 female; 2-81 years old) were analysed to the presence of anti-endomysial antibody class IgA by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Amongst the Indians, 158 were Kaingang, 98 Guarani and 65 of mixed race. Indians presenting complaints of diarrhea (N=12) were also evaluated to the IgG class of anti-endomisyal antibody. Results: None of the individuals showed positive results either to IgA or IgG anti-endomysial antibodies. Conclusions: Although the results indicate an absence of celiac disease in Kaingang and Guarani Indians, the authors call attention to the importance of following up indigenous children or adults presenting gastrointestinal complaints or other symptoms related to the disease. Consideration should be given to the genetic background of these individuals, allied to the inter ethnic marriages and the changing habits or occupational activities, that have gradually introduced diseases previously not described in indigenous populations.  

Keywords: Celiac disease, Kaingang Indians, Guarani Indians, Brazilian Indians, anti-endomysial antibodies.

Correspondence to: Prof. Dr. Iara José de Messias-Reason, Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Departamento de Patologia Médica, Setor de Ciências da Saúde, Rua Padre Camargo, 280 CEP 80060-240, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. Tel.: (41) 33601800 Ext. 6523, Fax: (41) 33627598, Email: iaramessias@yahoo.com.br or iarareason@hc.ufpr.br