November 10, 2006 -
DENVER, CO – Kimball Genetics, Inc. announces
its participation this week at the XII International
Celiac Disease Symposium in New York City and its
support of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia
University. Kimball Genetics has a strong commitment
to celiac disease education and genetic testing for
this common, chronic, autoimmune disorder. Celiac
disease affects approximately 1% of the U.S.
population but is highly underdiagnosed, with less
than 10% of cases currently detected. In genetically
susceptible individuals with the specific markers
HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, ingestion of gluten-containing
grains causes inflammation of the small intestine
and leads to malabsorption. Symptoms may be
gastrointestinal and/or a wide range of other
multi-systemic manifestations such as
iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue,
osteoporosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, and
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Early
diagnosis and lifelong treatment with a gluten-free
diet is critical to relieve inflammation and
symptoms and to reduce the risk for development of
secondary autoimmune disorders such as type 1
diabetes. Silent celiac disease, involving
inflammation without symptoms, is also important to
detect and treat.
Kimball Genetics offers the Celiac Disease DNA Test,
a genetic test with increasingly recognized
importance in the diagnostic work-up of celiac
disease. The test is valuable because it excludes
the diagnosis of celiac disease in patients with a
negative result, detects family members at risk for
the disorder, and is accurate even when the patient
is on a gluten-free diet. Both antibody testing and
small bowel biopsy require going off a gluten-free
diet to gain reliable results if the patient
initiated the diet before diagnosis.
Kimball Genetics is the only laboratory presently
offering celiac disease DNA testing on cheek cell
specimens with results available in one day. Dr.
Peter Green of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia
University says “Cheek cell testing at Kimball
Genetics is convenient and tremendously popular with
my patients since it eliminates the need for blood
draw. The one-day turnaround time and expert genetic
counseling provided with Kimball’s service are much
appreciated”. The Celiac Disease Foundation also
recommends Kimball Genetics’ Celiac Disease DNA test
due to these unique features of its service.
In concurrence with the National Institutes of
Health’s “Celiac Disease Campaign for Health Care
Providers and Public”, Kimball Genetics, Inc.
conducts ongoing educational efforts including
presentations to gastroenterologists, family
practitioners, nautropaths, chiropractors, and
nutritionists, and assists national celiac support
groups. Dr. Annette Taylor and genetic counselors
from Kimball have written an in depth review about
celiac disease, co-authored by Dr. Peter Green, soon
to be published in GeneReviews online. In addition,
Kimball Genetics is collaborating with Drs. Xavier
Castellanos and Dominick Auciello from New York
University Child Study Center and
Dr. Peter Green from Columbia University on an
exciting new research study to determine the
incidence of celiac disease in children with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or
learning disabilities.
About Kimball Genetics, Inc.
Founded in 1994 by Annette K. Taylor, M.S., Ph.D.,
Kimball Genetics is a national DNA diagnostic
laboratory specializing in testing for common
genetic disorders that are preventable or can be
treated. Known for its unparalleled turnaround time
and distinctive focus on genetic counseling and
education, the company has a major focus on celiac
disease and is at the forefront of education and
testing for this disorder. Other major areas of
testing currently include inherited
hypercoagulability, hemochromatosis, cystic
fibrosis, and fragile X syndrome. Soon Kimball will
be expanding into pharmocogenomic testing which
allows for the personal customization of drug
therapy.
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©2006 Kimball Genetics Inc. (last updated
12/06) |
