Gluten-free diet: a possible treatment for chronic diarrhoea in common variable immunodeficiency

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jul 10:2018:bcr2018225143. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225143.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disorders are frequent in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Clinical symptoms and histological alterations in CIVD can resemble celiac disease. Usually, patients with chronic diarrhoea associated with CVID do not improve with a gluten-free diet. The authors present a case of a male patient who was diagnosed with CVID at age 33 and had chronic diarrhoea which resolved after initiating a gluten-free diet. Clinical relapse occurred after gluten reintroduction. The main objective of this case report is to alert clinicians to implement a gluten-free diet in patients with CVID with chronic diarrhoea.

Keywords: gastrointestinal system; immunology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agammaglobulinemia / etiology
  • Biopsy
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / complications*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diarrhea / diet therapy*
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Duodenum / pathology
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged