Genetic Diseases That Predispose to Early Liver Cirrhosis

Inherited liver diseases are a group of metabolic and genetic defects that typically cause early chronic liver involvement. Most are due to a defect of an enzyme/transport protein that alters a metabolic pathway and exerts a pathogenic role mainly in the liver. The prevalence is variable, but most a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Manuela Scorza, Ausilia Elce, Federica Zarrilli, Renato Liguori, Felice Amato, Giuseppe Castaldo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2014-01-01
Series:International Journal of Hepatology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/713754
Description
Summary:Inherited liver diseases are a group of metabolic and genetic defects that typically cause early chronic liver involvement. Most are due to a defect of an enzyme/transport protein that alters a metabolic pathway and exerts a pathogenic role mainly in the liver. The prevalence is variable, but most are rare pathologies. We review the pathophysiology of such diseases and the diagnostic contribution of laboratory tests, focusing on the role of molecular genetics. In fact, thanks to recent advances in genetics, molecular analysis permits early and specific diagnosis for most disorders and helps to reduce the invasive approach of liver biopsy.
ISSN:2090-3448
2090-3456