Hepatitis Viruses Flashcards
what is the similarity among the hepatitis viruses?
they all infect hepatocytes (not related otherwise)
which of the hepatitis viruses can cause acute hepatitis?
A-E
which hepatitis viruses cause more severe acute illness?
A and E are more severe than B and C
how are the hepatitis viruses transmitted?
A and E are fecal/oral route
B, C and D are transmitted via sex, birth and blood
which hepatitis viruses are controlled by vaccination?
A, B and hopefully E
where is hepatitis A endemic? hepatitis E?
mexico and south America
asia and mexico
which hepatitis virus causes complications of pregnancy?
hepatitis E
what is required for hepatitis D infection? what does this mean?
hepatitis B coinfection
the HepB vaccination is also protective against hep D
what is the implication of coinfection of Hep B and D?
high risk of bad outcomes
what do serology results for HepA mean?
IgM- acute
IgG- recovered/vaccinated
what do the different serology results for HepB mean?
viral surface antigen- acute
IgG against surface antigen- recovered/vaccinated
what are the possible serology results for HepC?
EIA- real or false positive
RIBI- confirmation of positive
what serology results indicate hep D?
delta antigen
which hepatitis viruses can cause chronic disease? what sequelae may result?
hep B and C
cirrhosis and or cancer
what is the result of interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis?
many side effects with limited efficacy
what can IFN be combined with to improve cure of HepC?
second generation protease inhibitors
third generation inhibitors of protease polymerase and NS5A (newer)
what immune decoys are produced by HepB? what might they cause?
surface antigen alone
immune complexes may cause disease
what difficulty is faced in treating HepC?
when established, forms a large number of mutant viruses that make immunity and treatment difficult to target
what may be the result of liver transplant for chronic Hep B or C?
reinfection from secondary sites
what context makes chronic hepatitis B and C difficult to treat?
HIV
