Case 54: Hepatitis B Flashcards
what are the presenting symptoms of HepB?
- fevers
- chills
- headache
- malaise
- anorexia
- abdominal pain
- jaundice
- itching
- hepatomegaly
IV drug use/sharing needles
what are the lab results from a HepB patient?
low Hct
elevated lymphocytes
high ATL and AST
what are the characteristics of the HepB genome?
hepadnaviridae = enveloped dsDNA
what is HbsAg?
HbsAg = envelope protein in HepB
HBsAg is the
primary component of the hepatitis B vaccine; this antigen induces a protective,
neutralizing antibody that provides long-term protection against HBV infection.
what are the important HepB proteins?
HBsAg
HBcAg
HBeAg
what are the diagnostic markers of HepB?
HBsAg, HBcAg,
and HBeAg and their respective antibodies
how is HepB transmitted?
parenteral = IV drug abuse, needles, blood, etc.
sexual contact
perinatal transmission
what causes the clinical manifestations of HepB?
virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are
responsible for clinical manifestations, and for the eventual resolution of infection
what is the first serologic marker to appear after an acute HBV infection?
HBsAg
in people who recover, HBsAg is no longer
detectable in serum after an average period of about 3 months
anti-HBs becomes
detectable during convalescence after the disappearance of HBsAg in patients who do
not progress to chronic infection
the presence of anti-HBs following acute infection
generally indicates recovery and immunity from reinfection
what marker is diagnostic of HBV acute infection?
detection of IgM HBcAb
how do you treat HepB?
no specific antiviral treatment
supportive treatment like interferon-α,
lamivudine, or adefovir
how do you prevent HepB?
don’t share needles
avoid needle sticks in the hospital
recombinant vaccine available
Hepatitis B immune
globulin (HBIG) is recommended for postexposure prophylaxis and is most effective
when administered soon after exposure, preferably within 48 hours