Cholangitis laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Laboratory tests provide useful clues in the diagnosis of cholangitis. Some commonly conducted tests are complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, liver function tests, blood culture, and other body fluid culture.

Blood culture
Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase
Elevated gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
Elevated conjugated (direct) bilirubin
Elevated serum amylase. Levels may be as high as 3-4 times of normal, representing pancreatitis.
Culture from bile obtained during ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
Elevated aminotransferases (as high as 1000 IU/L) reflecting hepatocytes injury and microabscess formation. Liver abscess is indicated in such cases.