The autoimmune liver diseases include the triad of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). These conditions represent perhaps only 5% of all liver diseases, although the true prevalence in South-Africa is uncertain. Autoimmune liver conditions should be considered as a diagnosis after viral, metabolic and drug induced liver injuries have been excluded.
Although most of the autoantibodies are not disease specific, their measurement is a prerequisite to diagnose AIH and PBC, since they are components of the diagnostic scoring system in these diseases. In PSC, on the other hand, autoantibodies are frequently present, but play a minor role in establishing the diagnosis. The autoimmune liver conditions are also frequently associated with extrahepatic autoimmune conditions
Diagnostic Testing for Autoimmune Liver Diseases