左侧为正常小肠黏膜，右侧为脂肪痢黏膜。脂痢病肠绒毛变扁平，严重病例黏膜扁平、绒毛缺失，如右图所示。脂肪痢在白种人中的发病率为1：2000，但很少发生在别的种族。大于95%的感染人群有组织相溶性抗原DQw2的表达，提示有遗传基础。
Normal small intestinal mucosa is seen at the left, and mucosa involved by celiac sprue at the right. There is blunting and flattening of villi with celiac disease, and in severe cases a loss of villi with flattening of the mucosa as seen here. Celiac sprue has a prevalence of about 1:2000 Caucasians, but is rarely seen in other races. Over 95% of affected patients will express the DQw2 histocompatibility antigen, which suggests a genetic basis.
