Celiac and Celiac-Like Mucosal Changes of the Small Intestine

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Abstract
Celiac and celiac-like mucosal lesions are probably the final result of a similar reaction of the intestinal mucosa in response to different noxious agents. Celiac-like lesions are observed in many adult vertebrates under "physiologic" conditions and in the majority of apparently healthy adults in some of the Eastern countries. In animal experiments celiac-like lesions have been induced by different factors acting either directly on the mucosa or indirectly by interference with the lymph flow or the blood supply of the small intestine. The great number of pathologic conditions in humans which may be associated with celiac-like lesions is reviewed. Although celiac lesions are probably due to a specific agent (gluten), the mucosal lesions in idiopathic sprue and celiac disease are not specific. They closely resemble those seen in conditions with celiac-like lesions.