Are infectious agents involved in primary biliary cirrhosis? A PCR approach

Background/Aims: A variety of data suggest that microbial infections and, i n particular, atypical mycobacteria infections, may either initiate and/or be associated with the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis, Methods: To address this hypothesis, use was made of polymerase chain react ion techniques and primers specific for the 16s rRNA gene of Eubacteria, Ar chaeabacteria, Mycobacteria and Helicobacter to determine if such sequences were detectable in liver tissue specimens from 29 patients with primary bi liary cirrhosis. Similar liver tissues from patients with primary sclerosin g cholangitis, chronic hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and otherwise nor mal donors were analyzed in parallel. Genomic DNA was extracted from each o f these liver tissue specimens using sterile techniques to avoid possible l aboratory contamination, The DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification using bacterial genus specific primers and the amplified pro ducts cloned and sequenced. Sequence data were analyzed by searching for ho mology to existing genes. Results: Sequences from primary biliary cirrhosis and control livers corres ponded to those found in a variety of bacteria, but no consensus sequence w as found in primary biliary cirrhosis specimens. Neither Archaeabacteria no r Mycobacteria products were detected in liver specimens of patients with p rimary biliary cirrhosis, and Helicobacter pylori DNA was detected in only one primary biliary cirrhosis patient, Conclusions: Although bacterial infection, particularly with intracellular organisms, has been suggested to play a role in the initiation of primary b iliary cirrhosis, there is no evidence from this study to suggest an ongoin g chronic infectious process.