Is mitochondrial antibody diagnostic of primary biliary cirrhosis?

• Published in: Gut Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 136 - 140
• Main Authors: Munoz, L E, Thomas, H C, Scheuer, P J, Doniach, D, Sherlock, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.02.1981; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase - blood; Autoantibodies - analysis; Cell Nucleus - immunology; Female; Humans; Liver - pathology; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - diagnosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - immunology; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary - pathology; Middle Aged; Mitochondria - immunology; Muscle, Smooth - immunology; Thyroid Gland - immunology
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.22.2.136

In a series of 218 patients diagnosed as having primary biliary cirrhosis only nine exhibited a negative serum mitochondrial antibody. On examining additional specimens from these patients, seven were found to be positive, giving a final incidence of greater than 99%. The two patients whose sera remained negative for the mitochondrial antibody had liver histology compatible with the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis, but a firm diagnosis could not be reached. Three additional mitochondrial antibody positive subjects who were asymptomatic and exhibited normal serum alkaline phosphatase were shown on liver biopsy to have stage I primary biliary cirrhosis. The presence of a positive serum mitochondrial antibody in a patient with or without abnormalities in liver function tests strongly suggests the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis.