The Controversial Link between Hepatitis B Virus and Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease resulting in inflammatory destruction of small intestinal mucosa after the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The study of Leonardi and La Rosa (1) tries to establish a possible link between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and celiac disease. This is really interesting because only few cases have been described so far in the literature. However, there are two controversial points to be discussed in more detail—the development of CD after HBV infection or after treatment of chronic hepatitis with interferon, and an inadequate response to hepatitis B immunization in patients with CD.