<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Tropical sprue is a condition that can produce changes in the intestine
that are similar to celiac disease.  It happens to people who have been
in highewr risk places , southeast asia and south america.  It is
treated with antibiotics and folic acid with goood and prompt resolution
in most cases. If there is a question of tropical sprue then usually it
more sense to treat for that first before trying a glutenn free diet.  It
is said that the damage form tropical sprue does not get as severe as
that of celiac disease, but it may be very hard to distinguish.
Parasitic infestations also need to be considered in people returning
from underdeveloped areas.
Not medical advice
Joe Murray