Antimitochondrial Antibody
Definition This is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies against mitochondria (a part of cells).
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Why is the Test Performed?
This test is primarily used when there are symptoms of liver or other organ damage, to confirm a medical diagnosis, or help to identify possible causes of tissue damage.
The antimitochondrial antibody test is positive in up to 94% of people with biliary cirrhosis, and 25% of those with chronic active hepatic or iodophathic (of unknown cause) cirrhosis. It is positive in less than 1% of normal people. Titers (blood levels) of more than 1:160 are generally found only in biliary cirrhosis.
Antimitochondrial antibodies are helpful in distinguishing biliary (bile system) cirrhosis from liver problems due to obstruction outside of the liver, viral hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis.
|
