A case of primary biliary cirrhosis associated with pernicious anemia: a case report

Primary biliary cirrhosis is often associated with autoimmune diseases. However, its association with pernicious anemia has rarely been reported. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman who presented jaundice and pruritus. Mildly elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were detected. The titer of anti-mitochondrial M(2 )anti-body was elevated. Histology of liver biopsy showed features of primary biliary cirrhosis. In addition, aregenerative macrocytic anemia was found in the full blood count. The diagnosis of pernicious anemia was established by megaloblastosis in bone marrow, atrophic gastritis without Helicobacter pylori, low level of vitamin B(12 )and good response to treatment regimen of vitamin B(12). The association of primary biliary cirrhosis and pernicious anemia is unlikely to be casual and may be explained by autoimmune mechanism commonly shared by the diseases.