Serum Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies Detected during Febrile Illness May Not Be Produced by the Intestinal Mucosa

Anti-transglutaminase antibodies are the diagnostic marker of celiac disease, and are considered to be synthesized only by intestinal B-lymphocytes. During an infectious disease, these antibodies are transiently detected in serum. We show that these infection-triggered antibodies may not originate in the intestinal mucosa and are not an indication of celiac disease.