Research to the possible assciation between Chlamydia infection and the development of biliary atresia.

Rationale: The aetiology of perinatal biliary atresia is unknown, but the cause is probably multifactorial. Even though many viruses have been described as possible causative agents for biliary atresia, there are little data about the association between bacterial microorganism and biliary atresia.
Chlamydia infection could lead to the chronic inflammation and obliteration of bile ducts by the induction of an antibody response against heat shock protein 60. In a cohort of English patients we found a significant higher prevalence of Chlamydia antibodies in serum of children with biliary atresia compared to controls.

Objective: To confirm that previous or persisting infection with Chlamydia is associated with the development of perinatal biliary atresia.
Furthermore to investigate whether the Chlamydia infection is contracted by vertical transmission from the mothers.

Study design: Multicentre centre case control study.

Study population: 19 patients younger than 12 years with biopsy proven biliary atresia, who are monitored at the outpatient clinic and their mothers, controlled by 15 patients younger than 12 years with hepatoblastoma, who are monitored at the outpatient clinic and their mothers.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The presence of Chlamydia IgA antibodies in serum, PCR and immunohistochemistry for Chlamydia in liver tissue of children diagnosed with biliary atresia, as well as the presence of Chlamydia IgA antibodies in the serum of their mothers.

Previous or persisting infection with Chlamydia is associated with perinatal biliary atresia

Aim is to complete inclusion within two years after strat date

Mothers will undergo one venapuncture. Biliary atrsia patients and controls will not be exposed to extra interventions.