EARLY DETECTION CD can manifest with a previously unsuspected range of clinical presentations, including the typical malabsorption syndrome (chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal distension) and a spectrum of symptoms potentially affecting any organ or body system. 4- 6 As CD is often atypical or even clinically silent, the vast majority of cases remain undiagnosed for many years and exposed to the risk of long term complications. 7 PREVALENCE Analysis of the world codistribution of the two key components (HLA genes and grains) involved in CD pathogenesis 2 would predict a wide distribution of the disease, both in regions where CD is described as a frequent disorder (that is, Europe) 6 and in areas where the disease has been historically considered rare (that is, the USA).