Consumption of large quantities of alcoholic beverages has been identified as a major cause of cirrhosis of the liver. The process of cirrhosis of the liver is incompletely understood, with the underlying steps remaining obscure. However, the generation of malondialdehyde, a compound that is known to be toxic and mutagenic by inactivating enzymes within liver tissues, has been identified as a marker for early stage disease. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have identified a protein adduct, comprised of malondialdehyde and acetaldehyde, that is present in the liver of individuals that consume large quantities of ethanol. Antibodies which can detect these adducts have been developed and can be used for the detection of early stage liver disease, using standard assays such as FITC, FACS, and Western Blotting. The use of this technology could lead to improved diagnosis of individuals with early stage liver disease.