text: what causes celica sprue?   celiac sprue (aka celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy), is a chronic disease of the digestive tract.  it is a *genetic* disease that is characterized by autoimmune damage to the mucosal lining of the small intestine when gluten is ingested.  people with cs cannot tolerate gluten in any form (gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats).  when gluten is ingested by people with the disease, the mucosa of their intestines is damaged by an immunologically mediated inflammatory response, which results in maldigestion and malabsorption.  symptoms vary but can include severe gas pain, stomach pain, malodorous and oily stools and/or profuse diarrhea, and weight loss.  because it is a genetic, inheritable disease, there is no true prevention.  however, there are things that can be done to help manage it, most notably, dietary changes.  the celiac sprue association can be very helpful to those interested in or living with the disease.  you can see them online at http://www.csaceliacs.org.  hope that helps.