Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are primarily associated with which condition?

1. Hepatitis B

2. Primary biliary cirrhosis

3. Chronic pancreatitis

4. Cirrhosis of the liver

The correct answer is: Primary biliary cirrhosis

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are primarily associated with primary biliary cirrhosis, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the liver. In this condition, AMAs are directed against mitochondrial proteins, specifically the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The presence of these antibodies is a key diagnostic marker for primary biliary cirrhosis, as they are found in approximately 95% of patients diagnosed with this condition. In contrast, other options do not have such a strong association with AMAs. While hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver, it does not involve the immune response related to antimitochondrial antibodies. Chronic pancreatitis primarily affects the pancreas and is not linked with the presence of AMAs. Cirrhosis of the liver can have various causes including alcohol, viral infections, and metabolic disorders, but it is not specifically associated with antimitochondrial antibodies as primary biliary cirrhosis is. Thus, the strong correlation of AMAs with primary biliary cirrhosis makes it the correct answer.