Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is the underlying condition associated with the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies?

1. Autoimmune hepatitis

2. Primary biliary cholangitis

3. Gallbladder disease

4. Alcoholic liver disease

The correct answer is: Primary biliary cholangitis

The presence of antimitochondrial antibodies is primarily associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This autoimmune disease specifically targets and destroys the small bile ducts in the liver, leading to cholestasis and eventual liver damage. The hallmark of PBC is the presence of these antibodies in the serum, which are found in over 90% of patients diagnosed with the condition. Understanding the role of antimitochondrial antibodies helps in diagnosing PBC, as they serve as a significant biomarker for this disease. In clinical practice, the detection of these antibodies can aid healthcare providers in confirming a diagnosis and differentiating PBC from other liver pathologies, which do not typically present with these antibodies. Other options, while related to liver issues, do not have the same strong association with antimitochondrial antibodies. Autoimmune hepatitis, for example, involves different autoantibodies, and gallbladder disease and alcoholic liver disease are not linked to the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies in the same specific manner as PBC.