What does a positive HLA-DQ8 mean?
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As a unique serotype, HLA-DQ8 is most commonly linked to autoimmune diseases including celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile diabetes. 3 For reasons unknown, this gene can turn the body’s defenses against itself, directing the immune system to attack and destroy its own cells.
Which HLA is associated with celiac disease?

Celiac disease development is strongly linked to the presence of HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8, which present the immunogenic gluten peptides and trigger the immune response leading to pathogenesis. Because of the variability of clinical symptoms, the disease is often underdiagnosed.
What is DQ8 celiac disease?
College Park, Maryland. Background & Aims: Celiac disease is a polygenic disorder associated with HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8, which are present in greater than 90% of patients. The disease is considered milder in the United States compared with Europe.
What is the difference between DQ2 and DQ8 celiac disease?
The HLA gene alleles that predispose a person to celiac disease are called DQ2 and DQ8. One may have DQ2 or DQ8 in one of the copies or in both. People who have only one copy of DQ2 or DQ8 have a risk of about 3% of having celiac disease, whereas people who have two copies of either have a risk ~10%.

Can you test positive for celiac and not have it?
It is possible to get a false-positive tissue transglutaminase test result; for example, temporary gluten autoimmunity can cause patients to have a positive tissue transglutaminase level yet no celiac disease.
What do HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 do?
HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 are found to play important roles in the development of celiac disease. HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 can uniquely present specific gluten-derived peptides, compared with other HLA types that cannot.
What is HLA-DQ2 DQ8?
“HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 are the names of two genetic markers which are part of the immune system and are able to stick to the gluten proteins. Every person with celiac disease has at least one of these genetic markers.
How do you interpret HLA type for celiac disease?
Interpreting HLA Test Results The risk for celiac disease in patients who are positive for DQ2 or DQ8 can be determined based on which molecules are encoded. DQ2. 5 is most highly associated with celiac disease, while DQ8 and DQ2. 2 are associated with a lower risk.
What can be misdiagnosed as celiac disease?
Despite awareness efforts, celiac disease is often confused with other gluten-related disorders — like non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy.
What is EMA test?
The anti-endomysial antibody test (EMAIgA), EMA-IgA, is very specific for celiac disease. It’s estimated that a person with an elevated titer of EMA is almost assured of having celiac disease.
What is the prevalence of DQ2 and DQ8 in children with celiac disease?
Results: In the group of 100 celiac children, 78 (78%) were positive for DQ2, 13 (13 %) were DQ2/DQ8 and 6 (6%) were DQ8 positives. The HLA-DQ pattern in the 110 non-celiac children was as follows: positive for DQ2 in 33 (29.9%) samples, in 2 (1.8 %) was positive for DQ2/DQ8 and in 15 (13.6%) was positive for DQ8.
Is HLA-DQ8 linked to celiac disease?
Link Between HLA-DQ8 and Celiac Disease. As a unique serotype, HLA-DQ8 is most commonly linked to autoimmune diseases including celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile diabetes. For reasons unknown, this gene can turn the body’s defenses against itself, directing the immune system to attack and destroy its own cells.
What is HLA-DQ8 and why does it matter?
The expression HLA-DQ8 can vary significantly from one part of the world to the next. In Europe, for example, it is most associated celiac disease and juvenile diabetes. Similarly, in Japan, where this is no HLA-DQ2, the DQ8 serotype is the sole cause of celiac disease (bolstered, in part, by the influx of gluten in the Japanese diet).
Do people with autism have DQ2 or DQ8?
Neither of the two patients with autism who were positive for IgG anti-deamidated gliadin antibody had DQ2 or DQ8. About 95% or more of celiac disease patients carry HLA-DQ2 and/or -DQ8, compared to an estimated 40% of the U.S. general population [26].