3.13.2. Liver + Biliary Tree Disease - Viral Hepatitis - B Flashcards
What causes Hepatitis B infection?
A Parenteral Virus (HBV)
How does HBV enter into the Bloodstream?
It is a Parenternal Virus -
Transmitted through Blood-Blood contact
How are most Blood-Blood (Parenternal) Viruses transmitted?
- I.V. Drug Abusers
2. Sex
What type of disease does HBV cause?
Chronic Liver Disease
What is the Structure of the Hepatitis B Virus?
- HBV DNA and DNA Polymerase are contained within an Inner Protein Core (HBcAg)
- The Inner Protein Core is contained within an Outer Lipid Envelope, containing the Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
What happens during Active Replication of the Hepatitis B Virus?
The Inner Protein Core (HBcAg) changes into the Hepatitis E Antigen (HBeAg)
What is the significance of HBcAg changing into the Hepatitis E Antigen (HBeAg) during Active Replication?
The Hepatitis E Antigen (HBeAg) can be measured in the Blood, with Hepatitis B Viral Infection
What are the Antibodies, produced by the Body, in response to a Hepatitis B infection?
- Anti-HBs
- IgM Anti-HBc
- IgG Anti-HBc
- Anti-HBe
What does Anti-HBs act against? And what purpose does it have?
This acts against the Surface Antigen of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBsAg), for Protection
What does IgM Anti-HBc act against? And what purpose does it have?
This acts against the Inner Protein Core of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBcAg), in acute infection
What does IgG Anti-HBc act against? And what purpose does it have?
This acts against the Inner Protein Core of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBcAg), in chronic infection
What does Anti-HBe act against? And what purpose does it have?
This acts against the Hepatitis E Antigen (HBeAg), present when there is active replication - it is an anti-virus
What does acute infection with HBV cause?
Inflammation of the Liver
What does chronic infection with HBV cause?
- No further development (in 60-85% of cases)
- Progression to Liver Fibrosis / Cirrhosis
- Progression from 1 or 2 to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Progression from 2 or 3 to End-Stage Liver Disease
What are the Clinical Signs of HBV infection?
- Hepatomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
- Deranged Enzymes
- Jaundice