Primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis predominantly affects women. It is a chronic progressive disease whose cause is unknown but may involve both genetic and environmental factors. Initially there is inflammation around the portal tracts: over a period of years the inflammation spreads and there is scarring, with the bile ducts being obliterated and adjacent portal tracts being joined by fibrous tissue followed by the development of cirrhosis. While there may be some improvement on treatment using agents such as ursodeoxycholic acid or cyclosporin, most cases progress to the stage where the only available treatment is liver transplantation. In some patients primary biliary cirrhosis recurs in the transplanted liver.
 
 
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