Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
What is hepatitis?
It is defined as a condition in which there is inflammation in the liver
What is hepatitis A?
It is defined as an acute infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus
What type of virus is hepatitis A?
RNA picornavirus
What is the incubation period of hepatitis A?
2 - 4 weeks
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
Faecal oral route, usually in contaminated water or food
In exam questions, when does hepatitis A usually present?
2 - 4 weeks following travel to an at risk country (India, Thailand,
What are the eight clinical features associated with hepatitis A?
Flu-Like Prodrome
Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Nausea & Vomiting
Hepatomegaly
Dark Coloured Urine
Pale Stools
Jaundice
Anorexia
What investigation is used to diagnose hepatitis A?
Blood tests
What four blood test results indicate hepatitis A?
Increased AST Levels
Increased ALT Levels
Increased ALP Levels
Increased Bilirubin Levels
How do we manage hepatitis A? Why?
We provide conservative reassurance advice and basic analgesia
This is due to the fact that it is a self-limiting acute infection, which usually resolves without treatment in one to three months
Is there an immunisation available for hepatitis A?
Yes
What is the vaccine type used in hepatitis A?
Inactivated preparation
Who is administered the hepatitis A vaccine?
It It is not routinely offered and is instead administered to high risk groups
Which six patient groups receive the hepatitis A vaccine?
Travellers To High Prevalence Areas
Chronic Liver Disease Patients
Haemophilia Patients
Intravenous Drug Users
Men Who Have Sex With Men
Occupational Risk
What is hepatitis B?
It is defined as an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus
What type of virus is hepatitis B?
Double stranded DNA hepadnavirus
What is the incubation period of hepatitis B?
6 - 20 weeks
In what three ways is hepatitis B transmitted?
Parenterally via direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids
Sexually via sexual intercourse
Vertically from mother to child, during pregnancy or delivery
What are the five clinical features associated with hepatitis B?
Fever
Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Nausea & Vomiting
Jaundice
Anorexia
What investigation is used to diagnose hepatitis B?
Blood tests
What seven blood tests are used to diagnose hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Antibody (Anti-HBs)
Hepatitis B Core Antigen (HBcAg)
Hepatitis B Core Antigen Antibody (Anti-HBc)
Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen (HBeAg)
Hepatitis B Envelope Antibody (Anti-HBe)
Hepatitis B Virus DNA (HBV-DNA)
What is the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)?
It is a protein found on the surface of HBV
What does a positive HBsAg result indicate?
Infection
In cases where there is persistence of HBsAg for a period greater than six months, chronic infection is indicated
What is the hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (anti-HBs)?
It is the antibody produced by the host in response to HbsAg exposure
What does anti-HBs demonstrate?
It indicates the clearance of HbsAg, and therefore resolution and immunity to hepatitis B infection
What does a positive anti-HBs result indicate?
Immunity
No current infection
What is the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)?
It is a component of the nucleocapsid within HBV
What does a positive HBcAg result indicate? What is important to note?
Infection
It is not routinely measured in clinical practice
What is the hepatitis B core antigen antibody (anti-HBc)?
It is the antibody produced by the host in response to HbcAg
What does anti-HBc demonstrate?
It indicates current/past hepatitis B infection
In clinical practice, how do we use anti-HBc results?
It can be used to determine whether the infection is acute or chronic by identification of the immunoglobulin type present
What two immunoglobulin types are present in anti-HBc?
IgM
IgG
What immunoglobulin is present at the start of hepatitis B infection?
Anti-HBc IgG
Over time, what is anti-HBc IgM gradually replaced with?
Anti-HBc IgG
What does a positive anti-HBc IgM result indicate?
Acute infection
What does a positive anti-HBc IgG result indicate?
Chronic infection
OR
Acquired natural immunity
What is acquired natural immunity?
It is immunity obtained from a previous infection
What is the hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)?
It is the antigen located between the core and lipid envelope within HBV
What does a HBeAg demonstrate?
It indicates that the virus is actively replicating
What does a positive HBeAg result indicate?
Active infection, with a higher risk of transmissibility
In clinical practice, how do we use HBeAg results?
It is used to distinguish between active chronic infection and inactive chronic infection
What is hepatitis B envelope antibody (anti-HBe)?
It is the antibody produced by the host in response to HbeAg
What does a positive anti-HBe result indicate?
Inactive chronic infection
OR
Acquired natural immunity
What does the hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) determine?
The viral load of hepatitis B infection
In which individuals do we conduct a hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA)?
In individuals with positive hepatitis B infection serological markers
What does a high HBV-DNA viral load indicate?
Active chronic infection - with an increased risk of complication development
What does a low HBV-DNA viral load indicate?
Acute infection
OR
Inactive chronic infection
What are the two initial serology markers used to diagnose hepatitis B? What is each serology marker used to identify?
Anti-HBs = to identify previous infection
HbsAg = to identify active infection
What two further serology markers are used to diagnose hepatitis B - following initial positive results?
HbeAg
HBV DNA
What does a positive HBsAg result indicate?
Acute infection
Active chronic infection
Inactive chronic infection
What does a positive anti-HBs result indicate?
Natural immunity
Passive immunity
What does a positive anti-HBc IgM result indicate?
Acute infection