Test Details: HLA DQ2 or DQ8 positive may suggest that the person is at risk of developing celiac disease. Celiac disease (CD) has one of the strongest class II HLA associations. It is an autoimmune disease affecting the small intestine, triggered by gluten sensitization in genetically susceptible individuals worldwide. Because of the variability of clinical symptoms, the disease is often underdiagnosed. Intestinal biopsy and the presence of antibodies to deamidated gliadin and tissue transglutaminase are recommended diagnostic tools. Genetic testing for HLA DQ2 and DQ8 can be used to rule out disease in at-risk populations.