Other names: Biliary Cholangitis; Biliary Cirrhosis; PBC; Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), which was previously known as Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease that originates in the small bile ducts.
PBC is thought to be autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system has become overactive towards the normal bile duct cells and starts to attack them. This causes inflammation, scarring and eventually blockage of the bile duct that results in bile build up and damage to the surrounding liver tissue. This is a slow, progressive disease that over many years progresses from inflammation of the bile ducts, to liver scarring and fibrosis, and in later stages cirrhosis of the liver. Early diagnosis and treatment of PBC can slow the advancement of the disease.
PBC is an autoimmune disease that is most likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. PBC is NOT contagious and it is NOT related to alcohol or drug use.
