Hepatitis

Question 1

Acute viral hepatitis may be caused by

Answer 1

Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E, and less commonly by CMV and EBV.

These can cause severe liver disease

• esp. Hepatitis B & C
• from end stage liver failure to hepatocellular carcinoma.

A and D are spread by the faecal–oral route,

• B and C from blood and possible other body fluids.

Question 2

Diagnostic markers for acute hepatitis

Answer 2

Hepatitis A: IgM anti-HAV (Ab)

Hepatitis B: surface antigen (HBsAg)

Hepatitis C: anti-HCV (Ab)

IgM antibodies = recent infection

IgG antibodies = previous exposure