Virus Trigger for Celiac's Found

[Rosie]

It has been known for a long time that gluten sensitivity, both ceilac and non-celiac, is a combination of genetic susceptibility and some sort of unknown "environmental trigger". Infections have long been suspected as a possible culprit, and many of us here can trace the start of our MC to some sort of GI illness. A scientific paper just published has identified a class of viruses called reovirus as potentially being at least one of the triggers. You can read more at the following link.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 143939.htm

The study suggests that infection with a reovirus could be a key initiating event for developing celiac. For example, in the United States, babies are usually given their first solid foods -- often containing gluten -- and weaned from breastfeeding around six months of age. Children with immature immune systems are more susceptible to viral infections at this stage, and for those genetically predisposed to celiac disease, the combination of an intestinal reovirus infection with the first exposure to gluten could create the right conditions for developing celiac.

Rosie