Hepatic Viruses Flashcards
What is the genetic material in HBV?
Partially dsDNA virus
How does HBV replicate?
Replicates using reverse transcriptase
What is unique about the genome of HBV?
It has multiple reading frames where one reading frame encodes RT and another frame encodes surface antigens
What is the anti-viral therapy for HBV?
RT inhibitors that are used as mono therapy as resistance mutations lead to incapacitating mutations
What antigen indicates HBV infectiousness?
HBeAg
Is integration of HBV DNA required for infection?
No
Does HBsAg contain DNA?
No
What is the first Ab made against HBV?
Anti-HBc Ab
What is the order of Ab made against HBV?
- Anti-HBc
- Anti-HBe
- Anti-HBs
What is the only Ab that will be present in chronic HBV infection?
Only anti-HBc Ab - no other Ab against HBV
What is the HBsAg window period?
A period where HBs antigen and antibody are both negative and is the time before Ab are formed
What will be the serology to an HBV vaccinated individual?
ONLY anti-HBs Ab are present
What is the HBV vaccine made from?
HBsAg subunit vaccine
What superinfection on HBV can increase likelihood of fulminant hepatitis?
Hepatitis D (Delta Agent)
What is HDV genetic material?
It is a viroid with circular single strand RNA and requires HBV - it gets encapsulated in HBsAg coat
What unique activity does HDV have?
Has ribozyme activity that cleaves and ligates RNA
How can you be protected from HDV?
Vaccination with HBV
What is the genetic material of HCV?
Positive strand RNA virus
What drugs can be used to “cure” HCV?
Direct Acting Antivirals
What is the most common result of HBV infection?
Resolution
What is the most common result of HCV infection?
Persistent infection that can be asymptomatic or present with chronic hepatitis
What are factors that will have slow rate of progression of HCV?
- Female
- Younger age at infection
What is used for HCV diagnosis?
RT-PCR with sequencing
What population does HEV have high mortality in?
Pregnant women
