Pathology of Malabsorption Flashcards
What is malabsorption?
defective absorption of fats, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, electrolytes, minerals and water.
What will you see with malabsorption?
- chronic diarrhea
- weight loss, fatigue, anemia
- steatorrhea (excessive fecal fat)
What are some mechanisms by which malabsorption can occur?
- intraluminal digestion disturbance= luminal substances are broken down for absorption.
- terminal digestion disturbance= hydrolysis of carbohydrates and proteins in the small intestine mucosa.
- transepithelial transport disturbance= nutrients, fluid, and electrolytes are transported across and enter the small intestine epithelium.
- lymphatic transport disturbance= absorbed lipids can not be transported.
What is CELIAC disease?
immune mediated enteropathy associated with ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible people.
What is GLUTEN?
a protein in barley, rye, and wheat. The alcohol-soluble fraction of gluten, GLIADIN is what causes the pathology.
What does GLIADIN do?
- some gliadin peptides induce proliferation of CD8 intraepithelial lymphocytes, inducing NK cells to injur enterocytes.
- gliadin can also induce T cells to cause the characteristic mucosal pathology.
*** What major genes have been associated with Celiac disease?
HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 genotypes.
*** What serum antibodies have been associated with Celiac disease?
IgA class ANTITISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE (AntitTG), ANTIENDOMYSIAL ANTIBODY (EMA) AND ANTIGLIADIN ANTIBODIES (AGA).
What happens to the villi in celiacs?
they are lost, decreasing surface area for absorption
What are the associated conditions with celiacs?
- family history of celiac disease
- autoimmune diseases
- T1DM
- Thyroiditis
- IgA deficiency
- genetic syndromes (down syndrome, turners…)
What are the clinical features of celiac disease?
- anemia
- osteoporosis
- neurological problems (from not absorbing enough vit B6).
- chronic diarrhea
- weight loss
- DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS (an itchy, blistering skin disease that resembles herpes).
- lymphocytic gastritis
- lymphocytic colitis
Can celiac disease present in infancy?
YES, presenting as failure to thrive, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and developmental delay. These symptoms present upon weaning of child from mothers breast milk to normal diet.
How may older children present with celiac disease?
short stature or dental enamel defects.
How may adults present with celiac disease?
diarrhea, constipation, flatus, belching, anemia, weight loss, or vitamin deficiencies.
What are some atypical symptoms of celiac disease?
- few or no GI symptoms
- iron deficiency
- osteoporosis
- infertility