Lecture 13 - Hepatitis Viruses Flashcards
What are the 5 hepatitis viruses?
hepatitis A virus (HAV) hepatitis B virus (HBV) hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis D (delta) virus (HDV) hepatitis E virus (HEV)
Genome of HAV and HEV?
RNA
Virus family of HAV?
Picornaviruses
Virus family of HBV?
Hepadna virus
Which hepatitis virus has a replication similar to HIV? Implication?
HBV => some drugs (some of the nucleoside analogs) work against both viruses
Virus family of HCV?
Flavi virus (same as Dangue and West Nile viruses)
Genome of HDV?
RNA
What is unique about HDV?
Requires HBV infection to infect
How are hepatitis viruses different?
They are from different virus families with distinct virologic properties:
- Structure
- Transmission
- Epidemiology
- Treatment and prevention options
- Outcome (acute vs. chronic infection)
How are hepatitis viruses similar?
Similar symptoms, esp. during acute infection
Can other viruses cause hepatitis?
YUP - but are not as restricted to the liver as hepatitis viruses (e.g. yellow fever)
Lab diagnosis for viral hepatitis? 2
- High serum levels of liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Specific virus markers
How to differentiate between hepatitis viruses?
- Good history
2. Lab tests
Which 2 hepatitis viruses cause extra-hepatic symptoms?
B and C
Which 3 hepatitis viruses cause chronic infections?
B, C, and D
Definition of chronic infection?
> 6 mos
Number of serotypes of HBV?
Only one
5 symptoms of acute viral hepatitis?
- Typical symptoms of viral infection (e.g. fever)
INDICATIONS OF HEPATITIS:
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Itching
Are hepatitis viruses generally cytolytic?
NOPE
Pathogenesis of acute hepatitis?
Cytotoxic effects of cell-mediated immune responses
Pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis? 2
- Ineffective immune responses that nevertheless cause inflammation and low level cytotoxicity
- Extrahepatic effects due to circulating immune complexes (mainly HCV)
What 3 viruses cause the vast majority of acute viral hepatitis in the US? List in increasing order.
- HAV
- HCV
- HBV
Why are estimated number of viral hepatitis infections higher than reported infections?
Because some infections may be asymptomatic (esp. B and C acute infections)
Higher numbers of acute or chronic infections in the US?
More chronic infections
Fraction of patients with chronic HBV that die prematurely?
1 in 4
Fraction of patients with chronic HCV that die prematurely?
5-10%
Describe the HAV.
Small, non-enveloped virus that is highly stable in the environment due to protein shell
What is the HAV inactivated by?
- Heat
2. Water chlorination
HAV transmission?
Fecal-oral: shedding in stool precedes symptoms and is not related to their severity
Number of HAV serotypes?
Only 1
Implications of a virus only have 1 serotype?
- Recovery leads to lifelong protection against re-infection
- Good candidate for vaccine
Describe the acute hepatitis caused by HAV infection.
- Variable intensity (severity increases with age and pre-existing liver disease)
- Frequently asymptomatic
- Fulminant hepatitis <1% of cases
How long does recovery from HAV infection take?
Can take months, particularly in older individuals
When is HAV present in the stool? What to note?
Weeks 2-5.5 of infection
NOTE: regardless of symptoms
What is the period of clinical illness with HAV infection?
Weeks 2.5-6.5 of infection
Peak of HAV infection? What does it coincidence with?
4.5 weeks => IgM anti-HAV antibodies
What are IgG antibodies indicative of?
Previous viral exposure (infection or vaccine)
What are IgM antibodies indicative of?
Current acute infection
Are the symptoms of HAV specific to the virus?
NOPE
Is HAV infection always symptomatic?
NOPE