<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> The listowners have just made available a new file on genetics and Celiac Disease. We felt it was too long to place on the List itself, but it is available for downloading by sending an email to [log in to unmask] with the body GET CELIAC CEL-HLA What follows is the file introduction, and the questions from the file. If these questions interest you, download the file to get the answers! A reminder: We have several dozen specialized files about Celiac. For a list with descriptions, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the body INDEX CELIAC Bill Elkus Los Angeles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This file is a summary of various posts made on the CELIAC List about genetics and celiac, and more specifically about HLA typing in Celiac Disease. It has been supplemented by private emails with various experts in this area of CD, and has been reviewed for technical accuracy by Drs. Ludvig Sollid (Univeristy of Oslo) and Karoly Horvath (University of Maryland), two of the CEL-PRO experts. This file is formatted as a question and answer session. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q. What are the basic statistics on the risk of Celiac Disease amongst the general population? Q. What are the basic statistics on the increased risk of Celiac Disease among the various relatives of a diagnosed celiac? Q. Can genetics testing determine if my sibling will get Celiac Disease? Q. How common are the Celiac-related HLA markers in the general population? In other words, how specific to Celiac Disease are the Celiac-related HLA markers? Q. If HLA testing only shows tendencies, why bother doing it at all? a) Excluding CD as possibility. b) Necessity of serology re-testing. c) Attention to at-risk siblings. d) Delay the introduction of gluten to 'at risk' children. Q. What does HLA mean? Q. How does one test for HLA markers? Where? How much does it cost? Will insurance cover it? Q. How many different types of HLA markers are there? Q. Which HLA markers are associated with Celiac Disease? I have been confused, sometimes reading about DQ2, at other times about DR3, B8 and other markers. Q. If one has two copies of the Celiac-related markers instead of one, does it make a difference? Q. Are there non-HLA genes involved in determining if someone has the potential to get Celiac Disease? Q. Are there any known HLA or other genetic markers associated with gluten intolerance in autism? Q. What other disorders is a Celiac more susceptible to due to genetics (as opposed to intestinal damage and/or malabsorption)? Q. Could my family's genetics be used to advance the scientific knowledge in this area? If so, then who should I contact? Q. Can you give me some references to read or show my doctor for further details?