Hepatitis Flashcards
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Definition of viral hepatitis
- Systemic viral infection in which the liver is the predominant and often the sole target of injury
- hepatitis = inflammation of liver
- also hepatocyte necrosis = diagnostic hallmark is an increase in aminotransferases
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Types of hepatitis
***exam
ABCDE
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Hepatitis A: source, transmission, potential for chronic infection, prevention
***exam
- Source: feces
- Transmission: fecal-oral
- Chronic infxn: no
- Prevention: pre/post exposure IZ, handwashing
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Hepatitis B: source, transmission, potential for chronic infection, prevention
***exam
- Source: blood/blood derived body fluids
- Transmission: percutaneous per mucosal
- Chronic: yes (6-10%)
- Prevention: pre/post exposure IZ, behavior
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Hepatitis C: source, transmission, potential for chronic infection, prevention
***exam
- Source: blood/blood derived body fluids
- Transmission: percutaneous per mucosal
- Chronic: yes (85%)
- Prevention: blood donor screening, risk behavior modification
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Hepatitis D: source, transmission, potential for chronic infection, prevention
***exam
- Source: blood/blood derived body fluids
- Transmission: percutaneous per mucosal (infects only HBV pts)
- Chronic: yes (45%)
- Prevention: pre/post-exposure IZ, risk behavior modification
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Hepatitis E: source, transmission, potential for chronic infection, prevention
***exam
- Source: feces
- Transmission: fecal-oral
- Chronic infxn: no
- Prevention: ensure safe drinking water
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Clinical course of acute viral hepatitis
not always progress to icteric
pruritis: if viral infxn then intense itching, consider

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Expected PE findings in acute viral hepatitis
- Jaundice (±)
- Hepatomegaly
- Right upper quadrant tenderness
- Splenomegaly (20%)
- No lymphadenopathy
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Expected lab findings in acute viral hepatitis
***exam
- Increased aminotransferases
- Variable bilirubin levels
- Alkaline phosphatase normal or only mildly elevated
- Albumin and globulins normal
- Leukopenia
- Prothrombin time usually normal
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Labs: best markers of severity of acute hepatitis?
***exam
- NOT aminotransferases (ALT/AST) - these are not liver function tests, they are markers of cell necrosis
- Best marker of severity: PT/INR
- biopsy unnecessary
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
What is fulminant hepatitis and how is it diagnosed?
- Hepatic failure w/in 8 weeks of onset of acute hepatitis (ABCDE)
- Diagnosed by presence of hepatic encephalopathy and prolonged PT
- Histologically: massive hepatic necrosis
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Definition chronic viral hepatitis: labs, symptoms
- Elevated aminotransferases and/or viral markers present for > 6 months
- Non-specific symptoms
- May progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
- Caused by hepatitis viruses B, C, D or as yet unknown virus(es)
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
How is chronic hepatitis classified?
Grade = inflammation and necrosis
0 (none) to 4+ (severe)
Stage = pattern of fibrosis
None = 0
Portal = 1
Peri-portal to early bridging = 2
Extensive bridging = 3
Cirrhosis = 4
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Fibrosis Progression in Chronic Hepatitis
pt education: can use nose - end is spongier, as you move up gets harder

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
CDC Updated
HCV Testing Guidelines
***exam
- Baby boomers (born 1945-1965) who have never been tested should receive at least a one-time HCV test
- Augments (does not replace) previous recommendations
- All HIV-infected adolescents and adults should be routinely tested for HCV infection.
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Groups Recommended for HCV Testing by AASLD and USPHS
***exam
- Recent/past injection drug users—even if only used once
- Groups with high HCV prevalence
- HIV-infected individuals
- Hemophiliacs treated with clotting factor concentrates before 1987
- Hemodialysis recipients
- Patients with unexplained aminotransferase abnormalities
- Recipients of transfusion or transplantation before July 1992
- Children born to women infected with HCV
- Healthcare, public safety, and emergency medical personnel following
- needle injury or mucosal exposure to HCV-infected blood
- Current sexual partners of individuals infected with HCV
- Persons who have used illicit drugs by noninjection routes
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Should acute HCV be treated?
Only if HCV RNA detectable 2-3 mo after onset of infection
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
How can HCV infection be prevented?
- no means to prevent hepatitis C
- Avoid high-risk behaviors and appropriate use of universal precautions
- Needle exchange programs and education regarding the risks of drug use
- Prevent accidental needle stick exposure
- Neither immune globulin nor preemptive antiviral therapy is recommended
- Monitor AST, HCV RNA, and anti-HCV (at baseline and 1 and 6 months after exposure) . This allows for early intervention and treatment
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
How is HCV diagnosed?
***exam
HCV Ab+ then confirmed via HCV RNA (if viral load not detected, + Ab represents past infection)
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Once HCV infection confirmed, what are initial mgmt steps?
- Characterize HCV infection – genotype, viral load
- Assessment of fibrosis – liver biopsy vs. fibroscan
- Screen for HAV, HBV, HIV >> immunize
- Counseling regarding alcohol and HCV transmission
- Assess readiness and motivation for antiviral therapy
- Modify pre-treatment factors predicting response to antiviral therapy (e.g., SAD, fatty liver)
- Careful patient selection for antiviral therapy
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
How is a liver biopsy evaluated?
Two components: inflammation grade, which is the redness that forms around a cut in the skin, and fibrosis stage, which is scar tissue
Inflammation Grade
- Measure of severity and ongoing disease activity
- 0-4 (METAVIR)
- Inflammation leads to scarring/fibrosis
Fibrosis Stage
- Amount of fibrous scar tissue
- 0-4 (METAVIR)
- Stage 4 = cirrhosis
- Indicates long-term disease progression
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
What are some Noninvasive Alternatives to Biopsy
for Monitoring Fibrosis?
- Not FDA approved or standard of care
- Serum indices
- Forns fibrosis index, APRI, FIB-4
- Serological markers
- FibroTest, FibroSure, FibroSpect II
- Liver stiffness measurement
- Ultrasound elastography (FibroScan)
- MRI elastography
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Describe the expected timeline for progression of HCV virus

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Elements of an Ideal HCV Regimen
- ¨Simple schedule – shorter duration, easy stopping rules
- ¨Easy dosing – once daily, low pill burden
- ¨All-Oral – no interferon
- ¨Highly effective – higher cure rates across patient groups
- ¨Pan-genotypic – effective against GT1-6
- ¨Low resistance – higher genetic barrier to resistance
- ¨Safe and tolerable – few or easily managed side effects
- ¨Affordable – accessible to all patients¨
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Targets for direct acting antivirals
- Protease Inhibitors: NS3, NS4A
- NS5A inhibitors
- NS5B inhibitors: nucleoside and non-nucleoside analogs

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Recommended treatments in HCV
***exam
- Dependent on several factors: genotype, past treatment, resistance, kidney function, cirrhosis
- In the past: pegylated interferon + ribavirin: long tx duration, many side effects, and relatively low cure rates
- NOW: DAAs with very high cure rates. E.g., Harvoni, Viekira Pak, Sovaldi, Daklinza, Olysio, Technivie

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Resistance testing for HCV Tx: targets of resistance testing

Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
HCV treatment in ESRD
Previously no DAAs available, now if eligible, Zepatier (ELB/GZR)
if up for transplant, transplant first >> improved outcomes
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
HCV: needed before decising on tx
- ¡HIV testing within one year
- ¡HCV Viral load within 6 months
- ¡HCV Genotype within 5 years
- ¡Chem 7, Liver profile, Albumin (not included in the liver profile), PT/INR and CBC (30-60 days)
- ¡Baseline abdominal ultrasound – including spleen size – not RUQ limited
- ¨Fibroscan and Hep C Education (held on Tuesday mornings )
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Lab results that indicate hepatitis < stage 3
- Normal platelets, albumin, ALT > AST
- Liver imaging:
- may be fatty
- no mention of lobular or nodular morphology
- No splenomegaly
Exam: RFs for ABCD, Preventative IZs for pt & parterns w/BC, interpreting labs (Abs), diagnostic tests HCV, screening guidelines HCV, lab markers acute hep, tx hcv
Lab results that indicate > Stage 3 hepatitis
- PLts <150
- Albumin < 3.7
- AST > ALT
- Liver imaging demonstrates nodularity/lobular contour, enlarged caudate lobe and splenomegaly