1.   Failure of gliadin derived peptides to activate adenylate cyclase in duodenal biopsy homogenates from patients who have been successfully treated may be ascribed to the repair of mucosal damage.

2.   In three of the patients, the duodenal biopsies were normal and in the others there was a chronic and acute inflammatory cell infiltrate and evidence of gastric metaplasia.

3.   Endoscopy had a high yield and duodenal biopsy identified coeliac disease in three patients each of whom had normal folate values.

4.   Three of the patients with normal endoscopic examinations had coeliac disease proved by duodenal biopsy.

5.   The absence of a low folate value should not deter the physician from obtaining a duodenal biopsy specimen.

6.   The opportunity should be used to obtain duodenal biopsy specimens.

7.   Duodenal biopsy specimens were stained with periodic acid Schiff for the detection of metaplastic gastric epithelium.