Hepatitis Viruses Flashcards
What are some common clinical features amongst the hepatitis viruses?
Anorexia.
Nausea + emesis.
Right upper quadrant pain.
Raised liver enzymes like AST/ALT.
What other viruses other than the hepatitis viruses cause acute hepatitis?
Human Cytomegalovirus. Epstein-Barr virus. Herpes sSimplex Virus. Yellow Fever Virus. Rubella.
What kind of genome does hepatitis A have and is it an enveloped virus?
+ssRNA.
Non-enveloped.
What does convalescence mean?
Refers to the time spent recovering from an illness or medical procedure.
*recuperation
What is the incubation period of hepatitis A?
3-5 weeks ~ 28 days
Is hepatitis A an acute or chronic disease?
No chronic form of the disease.
Convalescence may be prolonged (fatigue + alcohol intolerance up to 18 months).
Relate the severity of a hepatitis A infection to the age at which one acquires the virus.
Severe - adults and pregnant women
Mild or asymptomatic - children
What is a complication of hepatitis A infection? Who are at risk ?
Fulminant hepatitis.
Pregnant women, elderly, pre-existing liver disease.
Outline the pathogenesis of hepatitis A.
Virus enters gut > replicates in alimentary tract > replicates in liver > virus excreted in stools for 2 weeks preceding the onset of symptoms.
*viraemia is transient!
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
Faecal-oral route. *virus shed in stools for 2weeks before symptoms.
Shell-fish grown in sewage-polluted water.
How does one diagnose hepatitis A?
Serology:
- HAV-specific IgM
Ways to prevent hepatitis A infection?
Active immunization:
- recommended form of post-exposure prophylaxis
Passive immunization:
- normal Ig given
*in cases where risk for severe disease both are given.
Which antibodies fall/rise towards the end of the disease?
IgM falls (active immunity) IgG rises (indicative of past exposure)
What kind of genome does HEV have and is it an enveloped virus?
+ssRNA.
Non-enveloped.
What is the incubation period of HEV and how bad is the illness it causes?
2-9 weeks ~ 45 days
Usually acute self-limiting hepatitis.
Relate HEV infection to the age at which one normally acquires the virus.
Mostly young adults.
What are the complications of HEV infection?
Fulminant hepatitis (pregnant women greater risk). Chronic hepatitis > cirrhosis (organ transplant/HIV infection).
Outline the pathogenesis of HEV infection.
Replicates in gut initially >replicates in liver > virus shed in stool prior to symptoms SIMILAR TO HAV
- viraemia is transient
- large innocuous required to establish infection
How is HEV spread?
Faecal-oral route. *contaminated water
Animals are reservoirs (pig, dog) *inadequately cooked meat
What pattern suggests that a large innocuous is required in order to establish a HEV infection?
Case-to-case transmission is low therefore suggests large innocuous required.
What specimens can be sent to the lab to test for HEV infection?
Stools and serum.
How does one test for HEV infection? Which tests are available here in SA?
- Virus particles in stools (electron microscopy)
- IgM in serum
- PCR for HEV genome in stool or serum
* none available for routine test in SA
What kind of genomic material does HBV have and is the virion enveloped?
Circular DNA (incompletely double-stranded) Enveloped.
What is the incubation period of HBV?
30-180 days.
Onset of symptoms is insidious.