[Primary biliary cirrhosis].

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive cholestatic liver disease characterised by the destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts. Although known for many years its etiology and pathogenesis still remains uncertain. Alterations of humoral and cellular immune functions suggests an autoimmune pathogenesis. Primary biliary cirrhosis typically affects middle-aged women who reports fatigue and itching. Diagnosis is usually based on abnormal biochemical tests of liver function, presence of antimitochodrial antibodies (especially anti-M2) and histologic evaluation of liver biopsy specimens. Relatively small number of diagnosed cases in Poland may be due to insufficient knowledge on this disease in our country.