What is the primary cause of celiac disease?

Celiac disease is primarily caused by an immune reaction to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. In individuals with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten triggers an inappropriate immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. This immune response results in inflammation and villous atrophy, which impairs nutrient absorption and leads to various gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.

This autoimmune reaction is specifically mediated by certain genetic predispositions, particularly the presence of HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 haplotypes. When gluten is consumed by a genetically predisposed individual, it is processed by the immune system in a way that mistakenly identifies it as a threat, leading to the damaging immune response characteristic of celiac disease.

In contrast, the other options do not encompass the underlying cause of celiac disease. Bacterial infections can cause gastrointestinal distress but are not linked to the autoimmune process of celiac disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to various liver and gastrointestinal disorders but does not directly cause celiac disease. Genetic mutations in liver enzymes are not related to the pathophysiology of celiac disease, as the condition is primarily an autoimmune reaction to gluten rather than a metabolic disorder involving liver function. Understanding this immune-mediated mechanism