Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and dental relevance of Hepatitis Viruses Flashcards
what 2 hepatitis viruses cause the most risk to patients and dentists?
hep B and C
structure of hep A virus
- simple
- protein coat with RNA genome
- spherical
- some have an envelope but most don’t
where can hep A grow?
can only grow in cell
- cannot be grown on agar plate
transmission of hep A
faecal-oral route mainly
not BBV, can be person-to-person, food or water borne
incubation period of hep A
2-7 weeks
- remains viable in sea water
Can get Hep A from food poising from sea food
signs of hep A infection
mainly subclinical infections
- illness is usually brief and self-limiting
mortality is less than 0.2%
no chronic disease
what is a difference between hep A and hep B, C and D?
hep A has no chronic disease
how to diagnose hep A?
serology
passive immunisation
give pre-formed antibodies
active immunisation
give antigens and body makes antibodies; longer lasting effect
hepatitis A immunisation
Human Normal Immunoglobulin
- Short-term protection (4 months)
Vaccine
- Formaldehyde-inactivated
- Prepared from the GBM or HM 175 strain of hepatitis A virus
- Single dose makes antibody for 1 year
- Booster dose at 6 – 12 months makes immunity for 10 years
(i. e. if go abroad frequently to a high risk area, advised to have does of vaccine after a year of first (booster))
viral load
number of viral particles per ml of blood
higher load = more infectious
prevalence of hep B
350 million people infected globally
- Global problem
- Most acquired the disease by vertical transmission or during preschool childhood
70% of new cases occur among people between the ages 15-39 (relatively young)
Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV (very infectious)
- As with HIV infection, potent prolonged treatment of hepatitis B selects for variants that are naturally resistant to treatment
what must happen in combination with hep B vaccine?
blood titre
treatment of hep B
No curative treatment but new antivirals suppress viral load
- 2 drugs approved for the treatment of chronic HBV (IFNalpha and Lamivudine) approximately 35% or less will show a long term response.
- Isn’t ideal – doesn’t cure but supresses the viral load
structure of hep B
Partially double stranded DNA virus
- All other hepatitis are RNA
Hepadnavirus
- Liver virus
Eight different subtypes of HBV exist
- These types specific determinants are useful in epidemiology
- All types are protected against by vaccine
how many types of HBV are there?
Eight different subtypes of HBV exist
- These types specific determinants are useful in epidemiology
- All types are protected against by vaccine
dane particle
intact virus (viral coat with DNA genome)
long cylindrical and smaller circular forms that can be seen next to dane particle
Viruses produced excessive amounts of protein coat – surface antigen
what is the role of the outer surface protein on viruses?
surface protein/antigen
- Active component of vaccine is the surface antigen made by genetic engineering
- Make antigens against the antibody which protect you
- Docks with liver cells
what is HBe antigen?
HBe Ag is derived from the core
If E antigen positive - then very high viral load (risk) likelihood of transmitting is greater than E antigen negative
geographic distribution of chronic HBV infection
Varied distribution
- UK low prevalence of infection
- Red areas higher - Africa, Asia, South America
Acute Hepatitis B Infection Lab Reports – England 2018
- 381 acute or probable acute cases
Incidence: 0.68 / 100,000
- Highest incidence in London: 1.23 per 100,000
- Most cases (64.7%) in men
- Commonest risk factor: heterosexual exposure (50%)
Cause a sub clinical infection
- Acute - small number show clinical signs of sickness
- Higher in certain parts (urban, men)
Many infections not recognised so not reported - unknown
- Why we need standard infection control precautions
Why we need standard infection control precautions
Many infections not recognised so not reported - unknown
- as they are sub-clinical infections but still risk of transmission
3 main transmission routes for HBV
- bloodborne
- sexual
- perinatal (Mother who is a Hep B carrier can transmit to infant at birth)
at risk individuals of hep B
IV drug users
Sexually active hetero- and homosexuals
Children of immigrants from disease-endemic areas
- Infected as a child have a larger chance at becoming a carrier
- Potential to transmit to other
- Long term carriers can result in serious liver disease - cirrhosis and cancer
Sexual/household contacts of infected people
Infants born to infected mothers
Healthcare workers
Haemodialysis patients
- Easy to transmit BBV if conditions right
- Strict screening and infection control needed