Significance of combined analysis of autoantibodies in diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the significance of combined analysis of different autoantibodies in the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). MethodsTwo-hundred and forty-five patients with liver diseases were randomly selected. According to the disease type, patients were divided into PBC group (n=162), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) group (n=42), and liver disease control (LDC) group (n=41). ELISA assay was used to detect serum anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA-M2) and antibodies against SP100 and GP210. Western blot assay was employed to detect serum anti-SLA antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect serum AMA. Comparison of antibody positive rates between groups was carried out using the chi-square test and Fisher′s test. ResultsSerum AMA, AMA-M2, and anti-GP210 positive rates of the PBC group were 93.21%, 87.65%, and 19.75%, respectively, significantly higher than those of the AIH group, i.e., 19.05%, 7.14%, and 9.52%, respectively (χ2=97.311, P=0.001; χ2=98264, P=0001; χ2=10.312, P=0.012). The AMA, AMA-M2, and anti-GP210 positive rates of the PBC group were also significantly higher than those of the LDC group, i.e., 9.76%, 2.44%, and 7.32%, respectively (χ2=142.745, P=0.003; χ2=112.574, P=0.002; χ2=15.217, P=0.042). ConclusionSerum AMA has a remarkable meaning to PBC diagnosis, anti-SP100 gives a hint of PBC progression, and anti-GP210 plays a role in the diagnosis of AMA-negative PBC