EK GI Liver Flashcards
How long does hepatitis persist for to be deemed chronic?
6 months.
Give 3 infective causes of acute hepatitis.
- Hepatitis A to E infection.
- EBV.
- Herpes
Give 3 non-infective causes of acute and chronic hepatitis.
- Alcohol.
- Drugs.
- Toxins.
- Autoimmune.
- Pregnancy
Give symptoms of acute hepatitis.
None or non-specific symptoms:
- Malaise
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Anorexia
- Jaundice- increased unconjugated bilirubin
- pale stools
- dark urine
- Tender hepatomegaly
Give 3 infective causes of chronic hepatitis.
- Hepatitis B (+/-D).
- Hepatits C.
- Hepatitis E.
What are the potential complications of chronic hepatitis?
Uncontrolled inflammation -> fibrosis -> cirrhosis -> hepatocellular carcinoma
How is HAV transmitted?
Faeco-oral transmission. E.g. contaminated food/water; shellfish.
Who could be at risk of HAV infection?
Travellers and food handlers.
Is HAV acute or chronic?
Acute! There is 100% immunity after infection.
How might you diagnose someone with HAV infection?
Viral serology: initially anti-HAV IgM and then anti-HAV IgG.
Describe the management of HAV infection.
- Supportive.
- Monitor liver function to ensure no fulminant hepatic failure.
- Manage close contacts.
Describe the primary prevention of HAV.
Vaccination.
How is HEV transmitted?
Faeco-oral transmission.
1&2 from contaminated food and water, 3&4 from undercooked meat, typically pork.
Is HEV acute or chronic?
Usually acute but there is a risk of chronic disease in the immunocompromised.
How might you diagnose someone with HEV infection?
Viral serology: Initially anti-HEV IgM and then anti-HEV IgG.
Describe the primary prevention of HEV.
Good food hygiene.
How is HBV transmitted?
Blood-borne transmission e.g. IVDU, needle-stick, sexual, mother to child (vertical).
HBV is highly infectious!
Describe the natural history of HBV in 4 phases.
- Immune tolerance phase: unimpeded viral replication -> high HBV DNA levels.
- Immune clearance phase: strong immune response. There is liver inflammation and high ALT.
- Inactive HBV carrier phase: HBV DNA levels are low. ALT levels are normal. There is no liver inflammation.
- Reactivation phase: ALT and HBV DNA levels are intermittent and inflammation is seen on the liver -> fibrosis.
How might you diagnose someone with HBV?
Viral serology: HBV surface antigen can be detected from 6w - 3m or anti-HBV core IgM after 3 months.
Describe the management of HBV infection.
- Supportive.
- Monitor liver function.
- Manage contacts.
- Avoid unprotected sex and alcohol
- Follow up at 6 months to see if HBV surface Ag has cleared. If present -> chronic hepatitis.
How would you know if someone had acute or chronic HBV infection?
You would do a follow up appointment at 6 months to see if HBV surface Ag had cleared. If it was still present then the person would have chronic hepatitis.
What are the potential consequences of chronic HBV infection?
- Cirrhosis.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Decompensated cirrhosis.
How can HBV infection be prevented?
Vaccination - injecting a small amount of inactivated HbsAg.
What is given in fulminant hepatitis B infection?
Antivirals
Infection with what virus is needed for HDV to survive?
It is a defective RNA virus so requires surface antigens from hepatitis B to replicate itself.
How is HDV transmitted?
Blood-borne transmission, particularly IVDU.
How is HCV transmitted?
Blood borne.
Mostly transmitted by poorly sterilised instruments/shared needles.
Give 5 transmission routes for developing HBV/HCV infection.
- IVDU.
- People who have required blood products e.g. blood transfusion.
- Needle-stick injuries.
- Unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Materno-foetal transmission.
How might you diagnose someone with current HCV infection?
Viral serology - HCV RNA tells you if the infection is still present.
You want to find out if someone has previously been infected with HCV. How could you do this?
Viral serology - anti-HCV IgM/IgG indicates that someone has either a current infection or a previous infection.
Describe the treatment for HCV.
Antivirals: direct-acting antiviral therapy
Information: Advice on not sharing needles
What percentage of people with acute HCV infection will progress onto chronic infection?
Approximately 70%.
What percentage of people with acute HBV infection will progress onto chronic infection?
Approximately 5%.
How can HCV infection be prevented.
- Screen blood products.
- Lifestyle modification.
- Needle exchange.
There is currently no vaccination and previous infection does not confer immunity.
What types of viral hepatitis are capable of causing chronic infection?
Hepatitis B (+/-D); C and E in the immunosuppressed.
What is acute pancreatitis?
An inflammatory process with release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha, IL-6) and pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, lipase).
What are the 3 different types of acute pancreatitis?
- 70% are oedematous; acute fluid collection.
- 25% are necrotising.
- 5% are hemorrhagic.
Give the causes of acute pancreatitis.
I GET SMASHED:
- Idiopathic
- Gallstones
- Ethanol (alcohol)
- Trauma
- Steroids
- Mumps
- Autoimmune
- Scorpion stings
- Hyperlipidaemia
- ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography)
- Drugs
Give 4 symptoms of acute pancreatitis.
- Epigastric or upper abdominal pain radiating through to the back.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever
- Oligourea
- Jaundice if caused by gallstones
How can acute pancreatitis be diagnosed?
Pancreatitis is diagnosed on the basis of 2 out of 3 of the following:
1. Characteristic severe epigastric pain radiating to the back.
2. Raised serum amylase.
3. Abdominal CT scan pathology.
Describe the treatment for acute pancreatitis.
Mild: Pain relief, IV fluids
Severe: IV antibiotics if necrotising
Feed with enteral nutrition.
Monitor for complications.
Cyst drainage
Give 2 potential complications of acute pancreatitis.
Autodigestion of the pancreas.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome - can lead to multi-organ failure.
What can autodigestion of the pancreas lead to?
- Haemorrhage
- Pseudoaneurysm
- Portal thrombosis
- Necrosis
- Infected necrosis
- Pseudocyst - pancreatic juices form a cyst
What is chronic pancreatitis?
Flares of pancreatitis with or without a trigger.
Chronic inflammation of the pancreas leads to irreversible damage.
Describe how alcohol can cause chronic pancreatitis.
Alcohol -> proteins precipitate in the ductal structure of the pancreas (obstruction) -> pancreatic fibrosis.
What immunoglobulin might be elevated in someone with autoimmune chronic pancreatitis?
IgG4.
How is autoimmune chronic pancreatitis treated?
It is very steroid responsive.
Give 5 symptoms of chronic pancreatitis.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Epigastric pain radiating to the back.
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Decreased appetite.
- Exocrine/endocrine dysfunction.
A sign of chronic pancreatitis is exocrine dysfunction. What can be a consequence of this?
- Malabsorption.
- Weight loss.
- Diarrhoea.
- Steatorrhoea.
A sign of chronic pancreatitis is endocrine dysfunction. What can be a consequence of this?
Diabetes mellitus.
What is the treatment for chronic pancreatitis?
Opiates in a controlled environment for severe pain.
Give 4 functions of the liver.
- Glucose and fat metabolism.
- Detoxification and excretion.
- Protein synthesis e.g. albumin, clotting factors.
- Defence against infection.
Name 3 things that liver function tests measure.
- Serum bilirubin.
- Serum albumin.
- Pro-thrombin time.
Name an enzyme that increases in the serum in cholestatic liver disease (duct and obstructive disease).
Alkaline phosphatase.
What enzymes increase in the serum in hepatocellular liver disease?
Transaminases e.g. AST and ALT.
Name two hepatocellular enzymes.
Transaminases e.g. AST and ALT.
Name a cholestatic enzyme.
Alkaline phosphatase.
Give 4 causes of hepatitis.
- Viral e.g. A, B, C, D, E.
- Drug induced.
- Alcohol induced.
- Autoimmune.
Give 2 possible outcomes of acute liver disease.
- Recovery.|
- Liver failure.
Give 5 causes of acute liver disease.
- Viral hepatitis.
- Drug induced hepatitis.
- Alcohol induced hepatitis.
- Vascular.
- Biliary obstruction.
Give 3 symptoms of acute liver disease.
- Malaise.
- Lethargy.
- Anorexia.
- Jaundice may develop later on.
Give 2 possible outcomes of chronic liver disease.
- Cirrhosis.|
- Liver failure.
Give 5 causes of chronic liver disease.
- Alcohol.
- NAFLD.
- Viral hepatitis (B, C, E).
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Metabolic e.g. haemochromatosis.
- Vascular e.g. Budd-Chiari.
What is Budd-Chiari syndrome?
A vascular disease associated with occlusion of hepatic veins that drain the liver.
Give 5 signs of chronic liver disease.
- Ascites
- Oedema.
- Malaise.
- Anorexia.
- Bruising.
- Itching.
- Clubbing.
- Palmar erythema.
- Spider naevi.
Drug induced liver injury is common. What question should you remember to ask in a patient history?
Have you started taking any new medication recently?
Name a drug that can cause drug induced liver injury.
- Co-amoxiclav (antibiotic)
- Flucloxacillin (antibiotic)
- Erythromyocin (antibiotic)
- TB drugs.
Name 3 drugs that are not known to cause drug induced liver injury.
- Low dose aspirin.
- NSAIDS.
- Beta blockers.
- HRT.
- CCB.
What enzyme is responsible for ‘mopping up’ reactive intermediates of paracetamol and so prevents toxicity and liver failure?
Glutathione transferase.
What are the potential consequences of hepatocyte regeneration in someone with liver cirrhosis?
Neoplasia and therefore HCC. Hepatocyte regeneration is liable to errors.
Give 3 causes of iron overload.
- Genetic disorders e.g. haemochromatosis.
- Multiple blood transfusions.
- Haemolysis.
- Alcoholic liver disease.
90% of people with haemochromatosis have a mutation in which gene?
HFE.
Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder. How is it inherited?
Autosomal recessive inheritance.
Describe the pathophysiology of haemochromatosis.
Uncontrolled intestinal iron absorption leads to deposition in the liver, heart and pancreas -> fibrosis -> organ failure.
What protein is responsible for controlling iron absorption?
Hepcidin.| Levels of this protein are decreased in haemochromatosis.
How might you diagnose someone with haemochromatosis?
- Raised ferritin.
- HFE genotyping.
- Liver biopsy.
Name 3 metabolic disorders that can cause liver disease.
- Haemochromatosis - iron overload.
- Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency.
- Wilson’s disease - disorder of copper metabolism.
Describe the mechanism by which alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency can lead to chronic liver disease.
Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency results in protein retention in the liver -> eventually cirrhosis.
What is Wilson’s disease?
An autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism; there is excessive deposition of copper in the liver. This can lead to fulminant hepatic failure and cirrhosis.
What can cause raised unconjugated bilirubin?
A pre-hepatic problem e.g. haemolysis due to sickle cell disease, spherocytosis, hypersplenism etc.
Describe the urine and stools in someone with pre-hepatic jaundice?
Urine and stools are normal. There is no itching and the LFT’s are normal.
What can cause raised conjugated bilirubin?
Raised conjugated bilirubin indicates a cholestatic problem e.g. liver disease (hepatic) or bile-duct obstruction (post-hepatic).
Describe the urine and stools in someone with cholestatic jaundice?
Dark urine and pale stools. There may be itching and LFT’s are abnormal.
Give 4 causes of duct obstruction.
- Gallstones.
- Stricture (narrowing) e.g. malignant, inflammatory.
- Carcinoma.
- Blocked stent.
Give 4 causes of hepatic jaundice.
- Viral hepatitis.
- Alcoholic hepatitis.
- Drugs.
- Cirrhosis.
Give 4 symptoms of jaundice.
- Biliary pain. 2. Rigors - indicate an obstructive cause. 3. Abdomen swelling.4. Weight loss.
What is ascites?
An accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity that leads to abdominal distension.
Give 4 pathophysiological causes of ascites and an example for each.
- Local inflammation e.g. peritonitis.
- Leaky vessels e.g. imbalance between hydrostatic and oncotic pressures.
- Low flow e.g. cirrhosis, thrombosis, cardiac failure.
- Low protein e.g. hypoalbuminaemia.
Describe the pathogenesis of ascites.
- Increased intra-hepatic resistance leads to portal hypertension -> ascites.
- Systemic vasodilation leads to secretion of RAAS, NAd and ADH -> fluid retention.
- Low serum albumin also leads to ascites.
What are the 3 phases of alcoholic liver disease.
- Fatty change: hepatocytes contain triglycerides.
- Alcohol hepatitis.
- Alcoholic cirrhosis: destruction of liver architecture and fibrosis.
What might be seen histologically that indicates a diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease?
Neutrophils and fat accumulation within hepatocytes.
What is non alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH)?
An advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Give 3 causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus.2. Hypertension.3. Obesity.4. Hyperlipidaemia.
What is cirrhosis?
A chronic disease of the liver resulting from necrosis of liver cells followed by fibrosis. The end result is impairment of hepatocyte function and distortion of liver architecture.
Give 3 causes of cirrhosis.
- Alcohol
- Hepatitis B and C.
- Any chronic liver disease e.g. autoimmune, metabolic, vascular etc.
What is the treatment of liver cirrhosis?
- Deal with the underlying cause e.g. stop drinking alcohol.
- Screening for HCC.
- Consider transplant.
Approximately what percentage of blood flow to the liver is provided by the portal vein?
75%.
Portal hypertension can lead to varices. Explain why.
Obstruction to portal blood flow e.g. cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension. Blood is diverted into collaterals e.g. the gastro-oesophageal junction and so causes varices.
Give 3 causes of portal hypertension.
- Cirrhosis and fibrosis (intra-hepatic causes).
- Portal vein thrombosis (pre-hepatic).
- Budd-Chiari (post-hepatic cause).
What are the potential consequences of varices?
If they rupture -> haemorrhage.
What is the primary treatment for varices?
Endoscopic therapy - banding.
What is peritonitis?
Inflammation of the peritoneum often due to infection.
What can cause peritonitis?
- Bacterial infection due to a perforated organ; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; infection secondary to peritoneal dialysis.
- Non-infective causes e.g. bile leak; blood from ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
What is the commonest serious infection in those with cirrhosis?
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. It can also affect immunocompromised people and those undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
Name a bacteria that can cause spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
- E.coli.| 2. S.pneumoniae.
How can spontaneous bacterial peritonitis be diagnosed?
By looking for the presence of neutrophils in ascitic fluid.
Give 3 symptoms of peritonitis.
- Pain.2. Tenderness.3. Systemic symptoms e.g. nausea, chills, rigor.
Name a cause of pelvic inflammatory disease.
A complication of chlamydial infection.
Give 4 reasons why liver patients are vulnerable to infection.
- They have impaired reticulo-endothelial function.2. Reduced opsonic activity.3. Leukocyte function is reduced.4. Permeable gut wall.
What is primary biliary cirrhosis?
An autoimmune disease where there is progressive lymphocyte mediated destruction of intra-hepatic bile ducts -> cholestasis -> cirrhosis.
Describe 2 features of the epidemiology of primary biliary cirrhosis.
- Females affected more than men.| 2. Familial - 10 fold risk increase.
Describe the pathophysiology of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Lymphocyte mediated attack on bile duct epithelia -> destruction of bile ducts -> cholestasis -> cirrhosis.
Give 3 diseases associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.
- Thyroiditis.2. RA.3. Coeliac disease.4. Lung disease.(Other autoimmune diseases).
Give 5 symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis.
- Itching.2. Fatigue.3. Dry eyes,4. Joint pains.5. Variceal bleeding.
What is the treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis?
Ursodeoxycholic acid; improves liver enzymes; reduces inflammation and portal pressure and therefore the rate of variceal development.
Give 3 risk factors for gallstone development.
- Female.2. Obese (fat).3. Fertile.
How can gallstones be removed from the gall bladder?
Laproscopic cholecystectomy.
Give 4 potential complications of gallstones in the bile duct.
- Biliary pain. 2. Obstructive jaundice.3. Cholangitis (infection of the biliary tract).4. Pancreatitis.
What is ascending cholangitis?
Obstruction of biliary tract causing bacterial infection. Regarded as a medical emergency.
Name the triad that describes 3 common symptoms of ascending cholangitis.
Charcot’s triad:1. Fever.2. RUQ pain.3. JAUNDICE (cholestatic)!
What is charcot’s triad?
It describes 3 common symptoms of ascending cholangitis:1. Fever.2. RUQ pain.3. Jaundice (cholestatic)!
What investigations might you do in someone who you suspect might have ascending cholangitis?
- Ultrasound.2. Blood tests - LFT’s.3. ERCP - definitive investigation.
Describe the management of ascending cholangitis.
NAME?
What is the difference between ascending cholangitis and acute cholecystitis?
A patient with acute cholecystitis would not have signs of jaundice!
What is acute cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gall bladder caused by blockage of the bile duct -> obstruction to bile emptying.
Give 3 symptoms of acute cholecystitis.
- RUQ pain. 2. Fever.3. Raised inflammatory markers. - NO JAUNDICE!
Give 2 risk factors for acute cholecystitis.
- Obesity.| 2. Diabetes.
Describe the pathophysiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Inflammation of the bile duct -> strictures and hardening -> progressive obliterating fibrosis of bile duct branches -> cirrhosis -> liver failure.
Give 3 symptoms of primary sclerorsing cholangitis.
- Itching.2. Rigor.3. Pain.4. Jaundice.75% also have IBD.
What is biliary colic?
Gallbladder attack - RUQ pain due to a gall stone blocking the bile duct.
What can trigger biliary colic?
Eating a heavy meal especially one that is high in fat.
Give 5 causes of diarrhoeal infection.
- Traveller’s diarrhoea.2. Viral e.g. rotavirus, norovirus.3. Bacterial e.g. E.coli.4. Parasites e.g. helminths.5. Nosocomial e.g. c.diff.
Give 5 causes of non-diarrhoeal infection.
- Gastritis/peptic ulcer disease e.g. h.pylori.2. Acute cholecystitis.3. Peritonitis.4. Typhoid/paratyphoid.5. Amoebic liver disease.
Give 3 ways in which diarrhoea can be prevented.
- Access to clean water.2. Good sanitation.3. Hand hygiene.
What is the diagnostic criteria for traveller’s diarrhoea?
> 3 unformed stools per day and at least one of:- Abdominal pain.- Cramps.- Nausea.- Vomiting.It occurs within 3 days of arrival in a new country.
Give 3 causes of traveller’s diarrhoea.
- Enterotoxigenic e.coli (ETEC).2. Campylobacter.3. Norovirus.
Describe the pathophysiology of traveller’s diarrhoea.
Heat labile ETEC modifies Gs and it is in a permanent ‘locked on’ state. Adenylate cyclase is activated and there is increased production of cAMP. This leads to increased secretion of Cl- into the intestinal lumen, H2O follows down as osmotic gradient -> diarrhoea.
Which type of e.coli can cause bloody diarrhoea and has a shiga like toxin?
Enterohaemorrhagic e.coli (EHEC) aka e.coli 0157.
What does EIEC stand for?
Enteroinvasive e.coli.
Which type of e.coli is responsible for causing large volumes of watery diarrhoea?
Enteropathogenic e.coli (EPEC).
What does EAEC stand for?
Enteroaggregative e.coli.
What does DAEC stand for?
Diffusely adherent e.coli.
What is the leading cause of diarrhoeal illness in young children?
Rotavirus.There is a vaccine - rotarix.
Name a helminth responsible for causing diarrhoeal infection.
Schistosomiasis.
Give 5 symptoms of helminth infection.
- Fever.2. Eosinophilia.3. Diarrhoea.4. Cough.5. Wheeze.
Briefly describe the reproductive cycle of schistosomiasis.
- Fluke matures in blood vessels and reproduces sexually in human host.2. Eggs expelled in faeces and enter water source.3. Asexual reproduction in an intermediate host.4. Larvae expelled and penetrate back into human host.
Why is c.diff highly infectious?
It is a spore forming bacteria.| Gram positive
Give 5 risk factors for c.diff infection.
- Increasing age.2. Co-morbidities.3. Antibiotic use.4. PPI.5. Long hospital stays.