Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis
Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (a.k.a. cholangiohepatitis) is a condition that most commonly affects humans of East Asian origins. It is characterized by recurrent bouts of cholangitis in association with intrahepatic pigment stones and intrahepatic biliary obstruction. It is also a common liver disease in cats.
Pathogenesis
In RPC the gallstones found within the biliary system are calcium bilirubinate stones or pigmented calcium stones. Calcium bilirubinate stones are prevalent in Asia and very rare in Europe and the United States. In addition to the presence of these friable concretions of various shapes and sizes within the biliary tree, the bile is often muddy in consistency and contains numerous fine particles of calcium bilirubinate. This differs greatly from cholesterol stones, which are common in Europe and the United States. Pure cholesterol stones contain >96% cholesterol whereas mixed cholesterol stones contain 71.3% cholesterol. The formation of calcium bilirubinate stones in RPC has been attributed to the high incidence of infection with Escherchia coli in the bile. In man, the majority of bilirubin is excreted in the bile as bilirubin glucuronide.