L37_Hepatitis Viruses Flashcards
In what sense are the hepatitis viruses related to each other?
They are NOT closely evolutionarily related but are grouped together simply because they all infect hepatocytes.
How are Hep A, B and C transmitted?
A is fecal-oral, B&C are sex/birth/blood transmitted
To which Hep to we have a vaccine for?
A and B
What diagnosis can be made by serology for HepA
IgM= Acute
IgG=recovered/vaccinated
What diagnosis can be made by serology for HepB
viral surface antigen=acute
IgG against viral surface antigen= recovered/vaccinated
What diagnosis can be made by serology for HepC
ELISA= real or false pos
RIBA (western blot)= confirmation
What are the more sever symptoms that can arise from Hep B and C, which has a lower rate of host success in fighting it off?
B and C can cause chronic hepatitis leading to cirrhosis and/or cancer. C is worse than B
What is done to treat B and C
treatment with polymerase inhibitors + IFN has polymerase inhibitors for treatment of serotype 1 of Hep C but they too have side effects
What types of measures are taken to increase success of liver transplant, what are some factors that could complicate the success of the transplant?
Liver transplant alleviates liver failure, but if virus was not cleared from secondary sites of infection, new liver becomes infected. Short course of antivirals preceding LDLT may be the answer.
What must you be aware of when having a patient undergo the grueling treatment courses for Hep B and C?
The types of alternative medicine they may be using and make sure they are only supplementing not replacing the real medicine.
Describe the virus structure of Hep A
picornavirus: ssRNA, naked, icosahedral capsid, single serotype
Describe the virus structure of Hep B
hepadnavirus: enveloped DNA virus, partly double stranded, replication produces decoys, single serotype
Describe the virus structure of Hep C
Flavavirus: enveloped, +RNA, 4 known serotypes
Can you get chronic infection with Hep A?
no
