Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Primary biliary cirrhosis laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anmol Pitliya, M.B.B.S. M.D.[2]

Overview

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis include elevated levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, anti-mitochondrial antibodies, lipids, immunoglobulin M, liver aminotransferases.

Laboratory Findings

  • Some patients with primary biliary cirrhosis may have “nuclear-rim” and “multiple nuclear-dot” patterns, which is highly specific for primary biliary cirrhosis, particularly in AMA-negative patients.
  • Some patients with primary biliary cirrhosis may have elevated antinuclear antibody (35% patients) and anti-smooth muscle antibody (66% patients).

References

  1. Kumagi T, Heathcote EJ (2008). “Primary biliary cirrhosis”. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 3: 1. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-3-1. PMC 2266722. PMID 18215315.
  2. Talwalkar JA, Lindor KD (2003). “Primary biliary cirrhosis”. Lancet. 362 (9377): 53–61. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13808-1. PMID 12853201.
  3. Mitchison HC, Bassendine MF, Hendrick A, Bennett MK, Bird G, Watson AJ; et al. (1986). “Positive antimitochondrial antibody but normal alkaline phosphatase: is this primary biliary cirrhosis?”. Hepatology. 6 (6): 1279–84. PMID 3793004.
  4. Crippin JS, Lindor KD, Jorgensen R, Kottke BA, Harrison JM, Murtaugh PA; et al. (1992). “Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in primary biliary cirrhosis: what is the risk?”. Hepatology. 15 (5): 858–62. PMID 1568727.

Template:WH Template:WS

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH