Hepatitis A Flashcards
What causes the damage in hepatitis infection?
Immune-mediated (virus is not cytolytic)
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
Faecal-oral
What type of infection does hepatitis A cause?
Acute
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
Non-specific flu-like symptoms Jaundice Dark urine Pale faeces Vomiting
How can hepatitis A be prevented?
Travel vaccine is available for pre- and post-exposure immunisation
IVIG can also be given pre- and post-exposure
Give examples of regions where hepatitis A is endemic
South America
Africa
SE Asia
What is the viral family of hepatitis A?
Picornaviridae (hepatovirus)
Describe the molecular characteristics of hepatitis A. How is this important for its virulence?
Non-enveloped +ive sense ssRNA
Outer protein capsid resistant to stomach acid
Describe the life cycle of hepatitis A
Ingested from contaminated water/food Replicates in intestinal epithelia Enters blood Replicates in liver Excreted in bile and faeces
Is persistent immunity acquired to hepatitis A?
Yes (IgG persists)
What is the incubation period for hepatitis A? How long do symptoms last?
~30 days
2-3 weeks
In what demographic are symptoms most apparent in infection with hepatitis A?
> 14 years (symptoms are the result of a strong immune response)
What kind of vaccine is the hepatitis A vaccine?
Inactivated
