Skip to main content
Download PDF

Intraepithelial lymphocyte distribution differs between the bulb and the second part of duodenum

BMC Gastroenterology volume 13, Article number: 111 (2013) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Evaluation of intraepithelial duodenal lymphocytosis (IDL) is important in celiac disease (CD). There is no established cut-off value for increased number of IELs in the bulb.

We therefore investigated the relation between IEL counts in the bulb and duodenal specimens in non-celiac subjects.

Methods

The number of CD3+ IELs was determined in specimens from the second part of the duodenum and from the bulb in 34 non-celiac subjects. The numbers of IELs in the villus tip and sides were counted and the quotient tip/side was calculated. HLA DQ2/DQ8 and serum antibodies against transglutaminase were analysed.

Results

The mean number of IELs per 100 enterocytes (95% CI) in specimens was 14.7 (11.8-17.6) in the bulb, and 21.2 (17.0-25.5) in the second part of the duodenum (p<0.01). There was no difference in IEL count or distribution comparing patients carrying or lacking HLA DQ2/DQ8.

Conclusions

IEL count in non-celiac, HLA DQ2/DQ8 positive or negative patients is significantly lower in the bulb than in the second part of the duodenum. These findings implicate that the site of biopsy should be taken into account when considering duodenal lymphocytosis.

Peer Review reports

Background

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) constitute a distinct population of T cells in the basal portion of the gut epithelium. Intraepithelial lymphocytosis is one of the criteria for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) [1]. However, it is an unspecific finding that can be found in many other inflammatory conditions with or without concomitant infection [2, 3] and can also be drug-induced [4]. In western countries, intraepithelial lymphocytosis is associated with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection provided that CD has been excluded [5, 6]. In patients with HP-infection high numbers of IELs in the duodenum [7] decrease after HP-eradication [5].

Intraepithelial lymphocytosis was recently defined as a normal villous architecture with >25 IELs per 100 enterocytes in the duodenal mucosa, as judged by immunohistochemistry [8]. Increased numbers of IELs has been considered to be of high diagnostic value in CD, provided the distribution is even along the villus [4, 9, 10] or if the IELs predominantly have an apical localisation [4, 11, 12] In recent years, it has been claimed that biopsies from the bulb are essential when considering CD [3, 13, 14], and this is now recommended in addition to biopsies from the second part of the duodenum in all patients who are investigated for CD [14–16]. A reference value for IELs in the bulb has not been settled, but it has been assumed to be in the same range as in the second part of duodenum [6, 17].

The aims of this study were to assess (i) the numbers and distribution of IELs in biopsies from the bulb and the second part of the duodenum in subjects without HP (ii) whether there are any differences in numbers or distribution of IELs between subjects with or without HLA DQ2/8.

Methods

Study population

Patients successfully treated for non-ulcerating HP gastritis ten years ago were recruited to minimise any influence of recent HP-infection. A prerequisite was that they had a negative urea breath test 6 weeks after HP eradication and, at control gastroscopy one year later, a negative rapid urease test and no HP present at histological examination. Further, the study subjects (n=57) were selected on the basis of available frozen (−70°C) serum samples (S1), which were analyzed for antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) to exclude CD with high probability. The patients were asked to participate in a follow-up control with endoscopy. Out of the 57 identified subjects 23 declined or were disqualified from a new endoscopy due to high age.

The remaining 34 subjects consisted of 14 men and 20 women with a mean age of 66 years (range 37–88). No patients suffered from any disease known to be associated with increased IEL except seven subjects who had regular intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All patients underwent blood sampling (S2).

Esophago-duodenoscopy

At the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy two biopsy specimens were taken from the bulb (in all but one case) and two specimens from the second part of the duodenum below the papilla major. Biopsies for rapid urease test (Pronto Dry®, Gastrex, Brignais, France) were taken from both antrum and corpus [18].

Histopathology

Biopsy specimens from duodenum and the bulb were fixed in formalin. Paraffin blocks were cut in 4-μm sections and stained with hematoxyline-eosine (HE) to assess the villous/crypt ratio and immuno-histochemical staining (IHC) with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (monoclonal IgG1 mouse anti-human CD3 antibodies, Clone F7.2.38. Dako, Glosrup, Denmark) to visualise IELs. The specimens were independently examined by an experienced pathologist (SI) and a resident (OB). In each specimen areas of mostly expressed histopathological changes including low villus/crypt ratio, increased numbers of lymphocytes were recognized. Lymphocytes were estimated in CD3 immunostained sections counting 500 enterocytes preferably in five adjacent, well oriented villi. In each of the five villi the number of IELs per 20 enterocytes in the tip of the villus and per 80 enterocytes in the side of the villus (altogether 100 enterocytes per villus) was calculated. An upper limit of 25 lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes and a minimal villus/crypt (V:C) ratio of 3:1 in the second part of the duodenum were considered normal [19]. A value of top-IELs/100 enterocytes (five villi) and side IELs/400 enterocytes (five villi) converted to IELs number/100 enterocytes was tabulated. Furthermore, IELs tip/side score (T/S) was calculated in order to distinguish IELs distribution pattern.

Serum analyses

Ten year old (S1) and new (S2) serum samples were examined regarding IgA-antibodies against human recombinant tTg (Celikey, Phadia, Freiburg, Germany). The analyses were performed according to the manufacturers’ instructions and the recommended cut-off 7 AU⁄ mL was used. Total serum IgA levels were determined by a routine turbidimetric method. One patient had developed an IgA-deficiency (<0.07 g/L) in the S2 blood sampling, and in this case IgG anti-tTg was analysed.

HLA

Typing for DQ2/DQ8 genes was performed with PCR-SSP assay (Olerup SSP®, Wien, Austria).

Statistical analysis

Kappa statistics was used to compare histological classification between the two examiners. The study results were depicted by mean and 95% confidence interval (CI). Comparisons were performed by the t-test. P-values below 0.05 (2-sided) were considered statistically significant.

Ethical considerations

The study was approved by the regional ethics committee (Regionala etikprövningsnämnden i Linköping), Linköping, Sweden. All subjects gave written informed consent.

Results

HP status

Based on a negative rapid urease test (performed during gastroenteroscopy using biopsy specimens both from the antrum and the corpus) together with negative histology for HP, a current HP infection was excluded in all but one case.

Serology

The S1 serum samples as well as the S2 follow-up serum samples were all negative regarding anti-tTG antibodies.

Histology

The specimen from the patient with recurrent HP infection was excluded. One patient did not have a biopsy from the bulb taken and one biopsy from the bulb was not possible to examine due to inadequate preparation.

The inter-observer results were consistent (kappa coefficient 0.67 and 0.69 respectively) regarding histopathology of the bulb (n=31) and the second part of the duodenum (n=33). The IELs values of OB were chosen for statistical analyses.

Intraepithelial lymphocytosis [8] (i.e. >25 IELs/100 enterocytes, corresponding to Marsh grade I) was found in 27% of duodenal biopsies and in 13% of bulb biopsies (p>0.05).

No biopsy revealed crypt hyperplasia. The villus:crypt-ratio was significantly lower in the bulb compared with the duodenal biopsies (mean 2.3 and 3.1 respectively, p<0.001).

The number of IELs in biopsies from the second part of the duodenum were significantly higher (p<0.01) than in biopsies from the bulb, both in the tip and the side, as well as regarding total IEL counts (Table 1). The ‘IEL distribution pattern’, IEL tip/side score, in the second part of the duodenum did not differ significantly from that in the bulb (Table 1).

Table 1 Intraepithelial lymphocytosis in specimens from the second part of the duodenum and from the bulb
Full size table

Subjects regularly using NSAID (n=7) had a tendency (p=0.07) of a higher IEL count in the second part of the duodenum mean 29.1 (95% CI, 11.9-46.2) compared with subjects not using NSAID 19.6 (95% CI, 16.1-23.1).

HLA genotyping

The HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 were found in 41%.

IEL counts did not differ between patients with or without HLA DQ2/8 (Table 2).

Table 2 Number of IELs per 100 enterocytes in the second part of the duodenum and in the bulb in patients with and without HLADQ2/8
Full size table

Discussion

The importance of taking biopsies from the bulb in the diagnostic workup of celiac disease has been reported lately [13–16, 20]. There is no established cut-off value for increased number of IELs in the bulb. Whether or not intraepithelial lymphocytosis is restricted to the bulb in early stages of CD is not known. Most publications in this field evaluate the number of IELs in the second part of the duodenum [19], and these results have automatically been considered to apply also for the bulb.

We found IEL counts to be significantly lower in the bulb compared to the second part of the duodenum. There are a few previous reports on the number of IELs in the bulb compared with the second part of the duodenum in children and adults without CD, and in these studies no significant differences were found [6, 13, 17, 21]. The lower IEL counts in the bulb reported here might be of importance when defining intraepithelial lymphocytosis in specimens from this area, as the accepted cut-off in the second part of the duodenum i.e. >25 IELs per 100 enterocytes may be too high for the bulb. Our findings indicate that different cut-off levels should be applied in the bulb compared with the distal duodenum, to define intraepithelial lymphocytosis at these sites. This may be important in order not to underestimate intraepithelial lymphocytosis in cases where duodenal biopsies are only available from the bulb.

HLA DQ2 and DQ8 are closely linked to CD [22], but seems also to be overrepresented in HP infection [23]. Hence, the high occurrence of these HLA alleles among our subjects with previous HP-infection was expected. In this study, IEL counts did not differ between patients with or without DQ2/8. In order to obtain reference values for IELs in true non-CD, biopsies from the second part of duodenum have recently been explored in DQ2/8-negative controls [24]. The optimal approach might be to define IEL cut-off levels based on biopsies from healthy DQ2/8-positive persons. To reassure that our patients neither had latent or silent CD nor an active or recent HP infection, we selected cases who had no clinical signs of gluten intolerance and negative anti-tTg antibody tests also at follow-up after a ten year observation period., As IEL counts were the same in cases with or without DQ2/DQ8, it seems justified to apply the same reference value regardless of HLA DQ2/DQ8 status.

The microscopic examination of biopsy specimens from both the bulb and the second part of the duodenum, overall revealed an even IEL distribution along the villus, but with a tendency of increased IEL counts apically. We performed an exact enumeration of IELs, in contrast to the observer-dependent estimation which has been applied so far [25]. Until now, only one study has reported a duodenal IEL ratio by dividing IEL counts in the villus tip with IEL counts at the side of the villus [12]. The results of the present study argue against the prevailing notion that an apical predominance or ’even-along-the-villus’ pattern is a finding suggestive of CD [4, 9, 10, 26], since we found that this was common also among non-CD subjects.

A major drawback of this study is the limited study population. However, this was due to our wish to exclude CD cases by a 10-year follow-up of subjects testing negative with regard to celiac-specific antibodies. Therefore, identification of stored serum samples was crucial for the study but at the same time a limiting condition, especially as we also wished to include patients with HLA DQ2/8 i.e. those with a genetic prerequisite to develop CD [22]. Despite the limitation, this long observation time is at the same time a major advantage of our study. Another study virtue is the high kappa coefficient value of the IEL counts reported by the two independent investigators, reassuring the reliability of our results.

Conclusion

In this study we found (i) lower number of IELs in the bulb compared with the second part of the duodenum in subjects without any sign of CD. The distribution of IELs was the same in bulb and the second part of the duodenum. (ii) There was no difference in number or distribution of IELs between subjects regardless of HLA-DQ2 or -DQ8 occurrence.

Our findings implicate that the approach to evaluate duodenal lymphocytosis needs deeper appreciation with regard to whether specimens from the bulb or the descending part of the duodenum are examined.

References

  1. Marsh MN: Gluten, major histocompatibility complex, and the small intestine. A molecular and immunobiologic approach to the spectrum of gluten sensitivity (‘celiac sprue’). Gastroenterology. 1992, 102: 330-354.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Brown I, Mino-Kenudson M, Deshpande V, Lauwers GY: Intraepithelial lymphocytosis in architecturally preserved proximal small intestinal mucosa: an increasing diagnostic problem with a wide differential diagnosis. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2006, 130 (7): 1020-1025.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Aziz I, Evans KE, Hopper AD, Smillie DM, Sanders DS: A prospective study into the aetiology of lymphocytic duodenosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010, 32 (11–12): 1392-1397.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kakar S, Nehra V, Murray JA, Dayharsh GA, Burgart LJ: Significance of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in small bowel biopsy samples with normal mucosal architecture. Am J Gastroenterol. 2003, 98 (9): 2027-2033. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07631.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Nahon S, Patey-Mariaud De Serre N, Lejeune O, Huchet FX, Lahmek P, Lesgourgues B, Traissac L, Bodiguel V, Adotti F, Tuszynski T: Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis during Helicobacter pylori infection is reduced by antibiotic treatment. Histopathology. 2006, 48 (4)): 417-423.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Walker MM, Murray JA, Ronkainen J, Aro P, Storskrubb T, D’Amato M, Lahr B, Talley NJ, Agreus L: Detection of celiac disease and lymphocytic enteropathy by parallel serology and histopathology in a population-based study. Gastroenterology. 2010, 139 (1): 112-119. 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.04.007.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Memeo L, Jhang J, Hibshoosh H, Green PH, Rotterdam H, Bhagat G: Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis with normal villous architecture: common occurrence in H. pylori gastritis. Mod Pathol. 2005, 18 (8): 1134-1144. 10.1038/modpathol.3800404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Veress B, Franzen L, Bodin L, Borch K: Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocyte-count revisited. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2004, 39 (2): 138-144. 10.1080/00365520310007675.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Goldstein NS, Underhill J: Morphologic features suggestive of gluten sensitivity in architecturally normal duodenal biopsy specimens. Am J Clin Pathol. 2001, 116 (1): 63-71. 10.1309/5PRJ-CM0U-6KLD-6KCM.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mino-Kenudson M, Brown I, Lauwers GY: Histopathological diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Curr Diagn Pathol. 2005, 11 (4): 274-283. 10.1016/j.cdip.2005.05.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ferguson A, Murray D: Quantitation of intraepithelial lymphocytes in human jejunum. Gut. 1971, 12 (12): 988-994. 10.1136/gut.12.12.988.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Mino M, Lauwers GY: Role of lymphocytic immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy with preserved villous architecture. Am J Surg Pathol. 2003, 27 (9): 1237-1242. 10.1097/00000478-200309000-00007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Vogelsang H, Hanel S, Steiner B, Oberhuber G: Diagnostic duodenal bulb biopsy in celiac disease. Endoscopy. 2001, 33 (4): 336-340. 10.1055/s-2001-13702.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Evans KE, Aziz I, Cross SS, Sahota GR, Hopper AD, Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS: A prospective study of duodenal bulb biopsy in newly diagnosed and established adult celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011, 106 (10): 1837-1842. 10.1038/ajg.2011.171.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Prasad KK, Thapa BR, Nain CK, Singh K: Assessment of the diagnostic value of duodenal bulb histology in patients with celiac disease, using multiple biopsy sites. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009, 43 (4): 307-311. 10.1097/MCG.0b013e31815b9d11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bonamico M, Thanasi E, Mariani P, Nenna R, Luparia RP, Barbera C, Morra I, Lerro P, Guariso G, De Giacomo C, et al: Duodenal bulb biopsies in celiac disease: a multicenter study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008, 47 (5): 618-622. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181677d6e.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Giacosa A: Morphometry of normal duodenal mucosa. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1989, 167: 10-12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dixon MF, Genta RM, Yardley JH, Correa P: Classification and grading of gastritis. The updated Sydney System. International Workshop on the Histopathology of Gastritis, Houston 1994. Am J Surg Pathol. 1996, 20 (10): 1161-1181. 10.1097/00000478-199610000-00001.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Dickson BC, Streutker CJ, Chetty R: Coeliac disease: an update for pathologists. J Clin Pathol. 2006, 59 (10): 1008-1016. 10.1136/jcp.2005.035345.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Gonzalez S, Gupta A, Cheng J, Tennyson C, Lewis SK, Bhagat G, Green PH: Prospective study of the role of duodenal bulb biopsies in the diagnosis of celiac disease. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010, 72 (4): 758-765. 10.1016/j.gie.2010.06.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Szakal DN, Gyorffy H, Arato A, Cseh A, Molnar K, Papp M, Dezsofi A, Veres G: Mucosal expression of claudins 2, 3 and 4 in proximal and distal part of duodenum in children with coeliac disease. Virchows Arch. 2010, 456 (3): 245-250. 10.1007/s00428-009-0879-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jabri B, Sollid LM: Tissue-mediated control of immunopathology in coeliac disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2009, 9 (12): 858-870. 10.1038/nri2670.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Quintero E, Pizarro MA, Rodrigo L, Pique JM, Lanas A, Ponce J, Mino G, Gisbert J, Jurado A, Herrero MJ, et al: Association of Helicobacter pylori-related distal gastric cancer with the HLA class II gene DQB10602 and cagA strains in a southern European population. Helicobacter. 2005, 10 (1): 12-21. 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2005.00287.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Pellegrino S, Villanacci V, Sansotta N, Scarfi R, Bassotti G, Vieni G, Princiotta A, Sferlazzas C, Magazzu G, Tuccari G: Redefining the intraepithelial lymphocytes threshold to diagnose gluten sensitivity in patients with architecturally normal duodenal histology. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011, 33 (6): 697-706. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04578.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jarvinen TT, Kaukinen K, Laurila K, Kyronpalo S, Rasmussen M, Maki M, Korhonen H, Reunala T, Collin P: Intraepithelial lymphocytes in celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2003, 98 (6): 1332-1337. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07456.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Serra S, Jani PA: An approach to duodenal biopsies. J Clin Pathol. 2006, 59 (11): 1133-1150. 10.1136/jcp.2005.031260.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Pre-publication history

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a research grant from the Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of internal medicine, Oskarshamn hospital, Oskarshamn, Sweden

    Olga Bednarska

  2. Department of pathology, Linköping university hospital, Linköping, Sweden

    Simone Ignatova

  3. Department of clinical immunology, Linköping university hospital, Linköping, Sweden

    Charlotte Dahle

  4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Linköping university hospital, Linköping, Sweden

    Magnus Ström

  5. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Simone Ignatova, Charlotte Dahle & Magnus Ström

Authors
  1. Olga Bednarska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Simone Ignatova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Charlotte Dahle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Magnus Ström
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Magnus Ström.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing of interest.

Authors’ contributions

OB contributed to conception and design, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. SI and LD contributed to acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. MS contributed to conception and design, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data and finished the manuscript. All authors critically read and approved the final version.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bednarska, O., Ignatova, S., Dahle, C. et al. Intraepithelial lymphocyte distribution differs between the bulb and the second part of duodenum. BMC Gastroenterol 13, 111 (2013). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/1471-230X-13-111

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/1471-230X-13-111

Keywords

BMC Gastroenterology

ISSN: 1471-230X

Contact us