Diagnosis of<unk>  can be complicated because many diseases have similar symptoms. The following investigation results are suggestive: * Abnormal flattening of villi and inflammation of the lining of the small intestine, observed during an endoscopic procedure. * Presence of inflammatory cells (most often lymphocytes) in the biopsy of small intestine tissue. * Low levels of vitamins A, B12, E, D, and K, as well as serum albumin, calcium, and folate, revealed by a blood test. * Excess fat in the feces (steatorrhoea). * Thickened small bowel folds seen on imaging.<unk>  is largely limited to within about 30 degrees north and south of the equator. Recent travel to this region is a key factor in diagnosing this disease in residents of countries outside of that geographical region. Other conditions which can resemble<unk>  need to be differentiated. Coeliac disease (also known as coeliac<unk>  or gluten sensitive enteropathy), has similar symptoms to<unk> , with the flattening of the villi and small intestine inflammation and is caused by an autoimmune disorder in genetically susceptible individuals triggered by ingested gluten. Malabsorption can also be caused by protozoan infections, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, immunodeficiency, chronic pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Environmental enteropathy is a less severe, subclinical condition similar to<unk> .
Tropical sprue
Environmental enteropathy
Congenital tufting enteropathy
Coeliac disease
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome
Autoimmune enteropathy
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
Schnitzler syndrome