Gastroenterology (Liver 2/2) Flashcards
types of hepatitis
- Alcoholic
- Heptatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D and E
- Autoimmune
- Drug- induced
hepatitis A
Type: RNA
Incubation: 2 weeks
Route: faecal oral
Long term: not associated with chronic liver disease
Hep A symptoms
Patients tend to have a flu-like prodrome and may have:
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Malaise
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tender hepatomegaly
- Dark urine and pale stools
- Due to bilirubin excretion in the urine instead of the gastrointestinal tract, see Jaundice.
management of hepatitis A
1st-line: symptom management and analgesia + notify Public Health England
* All viral hepatitides are notifiable diseases
* Most cases of hepatitis A are mild and self-limiting
* Any severely unwell patient should be admitted to hospital
Hepatitis B
Type: double-stranded DNA
Incubation: 6-20 weeks
Route: infected blood or bodily fluids
Long term: can be self limiting but can result in chronic hep B - liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Risk Factors for Hep B
- Visiting or being born in high-risk countries
- Close contact with people infected with HBV
- Injecting intravenous drugs
- High-risk sexual behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex with multiple partners)
- Family history
- Infants born to mothers with HBV
presentation of Hep B
Many patients are asymptomatic until liver cirrhosis, failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma develops. Features seen may include:
- Flu-like prodrome: fever, chills, malaise, joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Right upper quadrant pain
- Jaundice
- Tender hepatomegaly
- Palmar erythema
- Spider naevi
- Ascites
- Asterixis
prevention of Hep B
Immunisation
investigations for Hep B
Liver function
Acute:
- Bilirubin – increased (usually >85 µmol/L)
- ALT, AST – increased (usually 500 – 10,000 IU/L) and ALT > AST
- ALP – may be raised to up to 2 times the upper limit of normal
Chronic
- AST and/or ALT may be slightly elevated or normal
Hepatitis serology
HBV DNA
- higher levels indicate greater infectivity and higher likelihood of developing complications
hepatitis serolgy
1) Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg):
- Suggests the patient is infectious
- Chronic hepatitis B is likely if this is elevated for >6 months
2) Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg):
- Associated with viral replication and a higher infectivity
3) Antibody to HBe (anti-HBe):
- Indicates an immune response and control of viral replication
- 4) Antibody to HBcAg (anti-HBc):
- Indicates current or previous HBV infection and persists for life
IgM antibody to hepatitis core antigen (anti-HBc IgM):
- Indicates recent (within the last 6 months) HBV infection
- This is released first by the immune system and is gradually replaced by IgG
5) IgG antibody to hepatitis core antigen (anti-HBc IgG):
- Indicates past infection
6) Antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs):
- Indicates recovery and immunity to HBV
- If there is no anti-HBc, the person has been vaccinated (as the core antigen is not given in the vaccine).
- If there is anti-HBc, the person has fought off a previous infection
management of Hep B
- 1st-line: referral to gastroenterology/hepatology and notify Public Health England
- Pegylated interferon is used for the treatment of HBV, although other antivirals such as entecavir may also be used.
Patients with Hep B should have screening for
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
patient advice for Hep B
Patients should avoid drinking alcohol as this can increase the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Patients should take steps to minimise transmission to other people:
- Avoid sharing items that may be contaminated with blood (e.g. toothbrushes and razors)
- Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse including oro-anal or oro-genital sex until they have become non-infectious or their partner has been immunised
- Avoid sharing needles
- Avoid donating blood, semen, or organs
Hepatitis C
Type: RNA
Incubation: 6-9 weeks
Route: infected blood or bodily fluids
Long term: can be self limiting but can result in chronic hep B - liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
RF for hepatitis C
- Close contact with people infected with HCV
- Injecting intravenous drugs
- High-risk sexual behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex with multiple partners)
- Family history
- Infants born to mothers with HCV
presentation of hep C
- Flu-like prodrome: fever, chills, malaise, joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Right upper quadrant pain
- Jaundice
- Tender hepatomegaly
- Palmar erythema
- Spider naevi
- Ascites
- Asterixis
investigations for Hep C
Liver function tests:
In acute hepatitis C:
- Bilirubin – increased (usually >85 µmol/L)
- ALT, AST – increased (usually 500 – 10,000 IU/L) and ALT > AST
- ALP – may be raised to up to 2 times the upper limit of normal
In chronic hepatitis C
- AST and/or ALT may be slightly elevated or normal
Hepatitis C RNA testing:
- If positive, send a repeat test for confirmation of infection
- If negative, send a repeat test after 6 months. If still negative, then the person has cleared the infection but is not immune to reinfection.