In all 60 patients, IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA)-using a monkey esophagus immunofluorescence assay-and IgA tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA)-using a commercial ELISA assay-were negative.In summary, a linkage between hepatitis B infection and serologically-defined celiac disease could not be established. The gene discussed is CD79A; the disease is celiac disease.