Liver: Hepatitis Flashcards
HAV
Transmission
Fecal-Oral transmission
Commonly from travelers
HEV
Transmission
Fecal-Oral
Common from contaminated water or undercooked seafood
HAV and HEV
Acute? Chronic?
HAV and HEV produce an acute hepatitis with NO chronic state
HEV is particularly dangerous in what patient population?
Pregnant women
Associated with fulminant hepatitis (liver failure with massive necrosis)
HBV
Transmission
Parenteral
Childbirth, unprotected intercourse, IVDA
HBV
Acute? Chronic?
Acute hepatitis that develops to chronic in 20% of cases
What does the presence of HBsAG tell you?
It is the key marker for infection. If it is positive for longer than 6 months, the infection is chronic
When the infection is resolved, HBsAG should become negative
What does the presence of HBcAB tell you? What kind of antibody is it?
IgM is the acute and window marker.
Indicates acute HV infection
What does the presence of HBsAB tell you?
Indicates resolved HBV infection (it is IgG against the surface antigen) or a protected, immunized individual
What does the presence of HBeAG and HBV DNA tell you?
The person is infectious
e antigen –> envelope
HCV
Transmission
Parenteral (IVDA, unprotected intercourse, needle stick)
Why is transfusion risk of HCV infection very low?
The blood supply is screened for HCV
HCV
Acute? Chronic?
Results in acute hepatitis and chronic disease in most cases
HCV
What is measured to measure progression of the disease?
HCV RNA will confirm the infection. Levels should decrease as recovery occurs. Persistence indicates chronic disease
HDV
How does it infect patients?
HDV cannot infect patients on its own.
Needs either superinfection or coinfection with HBV
