| Theme |
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis : update 2003 |
| Title |
Diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: An Approach to Pathogenesis through Histopathology |
| Author |
Yasuni Nakanuma |
Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kenichi Harada |
Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Histopathological diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is routinely made by a combination of rather characteristic findings, such as florid bile ductlesions (chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis), epithelioid granuloma with bile duct loss and non-specific changes, such as portal inflammation, chronic cholestasis and hepatitic changes (interface hepatitis and lobular hepatitis). Molecular analysis of granuloma disclosed deposition of bacterial products derived from intestinal tract lumen, suggesting their participation in granuloma formation in PBC. Derangement of the local defense system of the intrahepatic biliary tree may be involved in the development of intrahepatic biliary diseases, including PBC. PBC is considered to be a misnomer for this disease, and an alternate name should be found. |