44 Hepadnavirus, Hepatitis D, Subviral entities Flashcards
Hep B virus is enveloped or non-enveloped?
enveloped
What is the name of the hepatitis B surface antigen on the envelope?
HBsAg
What is a hepatitis B virion referred to as?
“Dane particle”, it is especially stable for an enveloped virus and is the infectious virion
T/F- The hepatitis B virus capsid is made of core antigen (HBcAg)
true
T/F- HBeAg is also synthesized by Hep B but is secreted from infected cells and NOT incorporated into virions
true, HBeAg is useful as a diagnostic tool
What type of polymerase does the Hep B inner core contain?
RNA dependent DNA polymerase
What is the structure of the Hep B genome?
circular, partially double stranded DNA
In addition to the Dane particle, noninfectious HBsAg containing particles of various shapes are made in abundance, what is the function of these?
speculated to be immune decoys
Describe the life cycle of Hep B virus
- entry: HBsAg binds receptor and migrates through cytoplasm to nucleus
- viral genome expression occurs in nucleus (mRNA made by cellular RNA pol II, exported from nucleus and translated)
- packaging: polymerase RT makes DNA copy of RNA (this is incomplete tx event, leaves DNA genome partially double stranded)
- Egress: capsid with DNA buds into membrane containing HBsAg and virus is released
What are the two kinds of RNA products made by Hep B virus?
Full-length genomic RNA (gRNA) and shorter mRNAs
What areas of the world have highest Hep B rates?
africa, asia, parts of south america
How is Hep B transmitted?
- blood-borne
- mucocutanous or percutanous exposure to blood or body fluids
- sexual contact
- perinatal (especially africa/asia) and through breast milk
Is the mother to child route of Hep B spread common in the united states?
no
T/F- hepatitis B can present with two forms. An acute infection that is eventually cleared or a chronic infection where the virus persists and replicates for the life of the host?
True
Will antibodies against HBsAg be protective if they are present at the time of infection?
yes, will prevent infection
What type of immune response (cellular or antibody) contributes to liver damage and is responsible for clearing hepatitis B after infection?
cellular immunity
Does hepatitis B have a long or short incubation period before symptoms appear?
long
T/F- acute infection results in symptoms the majority of the time with Hep B
False, only symptomatic 25% of the time
Is fulminant hepatitis common or rare with hepatitis B infection?
rare, but can occur
If you get infected earlier in life (e.g. 1-6 months of age) with Hep B are you more likely to clear the virus than someone who gets infected who is greater than 4 years old?
The older you are when you are infected the better chance you have of clearing the virus and not becoming chronically infected.
If you detect E antigen in addition to S antigen in someone with Hep B, is that bad news?
yes, detection of E antigen confers worse severity/prognosis
Is treatment available for chronic hep B infection?
yes, Pol inhibitors (give when liver enzymes are 2X normal. Interferon alpha was used but is not common anymore.
What are the 3 Pol inhibitors given in chronic Hep B?
- entecavir
- lamivudine
- adefovir