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  11th International Coeliac Symposium
               Belfast, Northern Ireland
                 Friday, April 30, 2004

The weather must have known that today is the last day of the symposium and
everyone will be headed to the four winds.  The skies are leaden as though it
might rain or snow at any minute.  But it never does for the entire day.  Just
dull and overcast.  This too is Ireland.

Today's sessions were not dull though.  Several differences of opinion
appeared as presentations were made about a variety of patient issues.  The status
of celiac disease and the Codex Alimentaris; The safe threshold for gluten
contamination in gluten-free foods; The question of whether traces of gluten are
toxic for those on a gluten-free diet; The question of whether or not the
diagnosis of celiac disease in childhood makes it a lifelong disease; Just what
full muscosal recovery means; Whether or not there is a risk of vitamin and
mineral deficiency on a strict gluten-free diet; and The impact of a gluten-free
diet on the quality of life.  The answers continue to be yes and no.

Again today, three workshops provided an opportunity for a more in-depth
discussion among fewer delegates.  One workshop concentrated on tissue
transglutaminase, its properties, and its role in the development of celiac disease.  The
second workshop examined the role of the primary care physician in the
diagnosis of celiac disease and the social and dietetic aspects of prescribing a
gluten-free diet.  The third workshop examined some different biological
properties of tissue transglutaminase in technical detail.

The final session focused on several celiac antigens and included discussions
about the HLA-DQ2 gene, T-cell lines, T-cell clones, a T-cell epitope and
tTg-gliadin peptide complexes.  Some possible future therapies for celiac disease
were also offered for consideration.

The conference concluded with a report from the chair of each session
summarizing the talks given and the major open questions as each sees them now.

More detailed information from the conference will be announced when it
becomes available.

Thomas Sullivan     Mary Schluckebier
President Elect       Executive Director
CSA/USA Inc.         CSA/USA Inc.

                                                                   Diane Eve
Paley
                                                                   President
CSA/USA Inc.

          web site: csaceliacs.org        Toll Free:1-877/CSA-4CSA

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