Histological examination of the small bowel shows varying degrees of villous atrophy, with low or without mononuclear cell infiltration of the lamina propria. The most important feature involves the epithelium where the surface enterocytes are disorganized with focal crowding creating structures resembling tufts. Other features that have been reported include the abnormal deposition of laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan within the basement membrane and increased expression of desmoglein. Electron microscopic changes in the desmosomes have been noted as have abnormal distribution of alpha2beta1 integrin adhesion molecules.
Congenital tufting enteropathy
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome
Autoimmune enteropathy
Tropical sprue
Natural killer cell enteropathy
Environmental enteropathy
Familial multiple intestinal atresia
Schnitzler syndrome