Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
What Causes Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?
The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is unknown. It is believed PBC may be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. There is also the possibility that heredity, environmental factors and infection may play a role in the development of PBC, however, to date, no studies have conclusively shown that infection is the cause of PBC nor that it is triggered by a self-limited infection.
Also, PBC is not associated with infection by any of the known hepatitis viruses. Furthermore, none of the new viruses that may cause liver diseases have been found primarily or exclusively in patients with PBC.
References
American Liver Foundation, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/pbc/ Retrieved September 7, 2011
Mayo Clinic, “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/primary-biliary-cirrhosis/DS00604 Retrieved September 7, 2011
MedicineNet.com, “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://www.medicinenet.com/primary_biliary_cirrhosis/article.htm Retrieved September 7, 2011
Medscape Reference, “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/171117-overview Retrieved September 7, 2011<//p>
PubMed Health, “Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001327/ Retrieved September 7, 2011
World Journal of Gastroenterology, “Clinical Features and Management of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716586/?tool=pmcentrez Retrieved September 7, 2011
