Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
Define hepatitis?
6 viruses known to infect humans- A, ,C,D,E nd G other viruses that inect liver= CMV, EBV, yellow fever, herpes
what are the six different viruses known to infect
what is the typical presentation for hepatitis?
fever, jaundice, raised ALT, AST
what is the typical presentation for hep A?
Travel, faecal-oral (contaminated water is a major source/ poor hygiene), acute, usually asymptomatic, supportive management , 2 weeks incubation - Asia and Africa
what is the typical presentation for hep B?
acute, MSM, unprotected sex, blood transfusion/ IVDU, causes high ALP as well, most clear the infection, 4-12wks, health care workers, likely in children, Africa
what is the typical presentation for Hep C?
chronic, rf for hepatocellular carcinoma, TRANSFUSIONS, blood to blood transmission/IVDU, 2wks-6mnths, Eastern Mediterranean
what is the typical presentation for Hep D?
only with Hep B
what is the typical presentation for Hep E?
Enteric, faecal oral (water), Pregnancy, immunocompromised, supportive management, acute
Define hepatitis A and E?
hepatitis caused by infection with RNA viruses, hepatitis A or hepatitis E that follow an acute course with progression to chronic carriage
go to A and E with Hep A and E
what type of viruses are Hep A and E?
small non-enveloped single stranded linear RNA viruses of roughly 7500 nucleotides-> with transmission via faeco-oral route
HAV- picornavirus
HEV - calcivirus
describe the aetiology of hepatitis A and E?
HAV = picornavirus HEV = calicivirus
Transmission = faecal-oral route
Both viruses replicate within hepatocytes and are secreted into bile
Liver inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis is caused by the immune response
Infected cells are targeted by CD8+ T cells and NK cells
What is the transmission of hepatitis A and E?
faecal -oral route
describe the histological features of hepatitis A and E
Inflammatory cell infiltration of portal tracts (neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes)
Zone 3 necrosis
Bile duct proliferation
what are the risk factors for hepatits A and E?
endemic region with poor sanitation
homosexual men
close contact with infected person
think went on hols and had some shellfish
summarise the epidemiology of viral hepatitis?
Hep A – more common than Hep E
HAV is endemic in the developing world
Infection often occurs sub-clinically (no clinical findings)
Better sanitation in the developed world means that it is less common, age of exposure is higher and, hence, patients are more likely to be symptomatic
Annual UK incidence: 5000
HEV is endemic in Asia, Africa and Central America
what is the incubation period of HAV and HEV?
3-6 weeks
what are the prodromal period symptoms ( early symptoms) of Hepatitis A and Hep E?
malaise
anorexia- distaste in cigarettes in smokers
fever
nausea and vomiting
RUQ pain
what are the symptoms of hepatitis?
dark urine
pale stools
jaundice lasting around 3 weeks
ocassionally, itching and jaundice may last several weeks in HAV infection
what are the signs of hep A and Hep E?
pyrexia
jaundice
tender hepatomegaly
spleen may be palpable
ABSENCE of stigmata of chronic liver disease (although some spider naevi may appear transiently)
what are the appropriate investigations for Hep A and Hep E and interpret the results?
Bloods
- LFTs - high AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin
- High ESR
- Low albumin + high platelets (if severe)
Vital Serology
- Hep B and C serology must be done to rule them out
- Hepatitis A:
- Anti-HAV IgM (during acute illness, disappears after 3-5 months)
- Anti- HAV IgG (recovery phase and lifelong persistence)
- Hepatitis E:
- Anti-HEV IgM (raised 1-4 weeks after onset)
- Anti-HEV IgG
Urinalysis
- Positive for bilirubin
- Raised urobilinogen
outline the management plan for viral hepatitis?
There is no specific management other than bed rest and symptomatic treatment (e.g. antipyretics, antiemetics or cholestyramine (for severe pruritus))
Prevention and Control
- Public Health - safe water, sanitation and food hygiene
- These are notifiable diseases
- When travelling, personal hygiene and dietary precautions
- Immunisation is available for HAV only
Passive immunisation with IM human immunoglobulin (effective for a short time)
Active immunisation with attenuated HAV vaccine offers safe and effective immunity for those travelling to endemic areas and high-risk individuals
what are the possible complications of Hep A and Hep E?
Fulminant hepatic failure (in a very small proportion of patients but is more common in pregnant women)
Cholestatic hepatitis with prolonged jaundice and pruritus can develop after HAV infection
Post-hepatitis syndrome: continued malaise for weeks to months
summarise the prognosis of viral hepatitis?
Recovery is usually within 3-6 weeks
Occasionally patients may relapse during recovery
There are no chronic sequelae
Fulminant hepatic failure has a mortality of 80%
Define Hep B?
Hepatitis caused by infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which may follow an acute or chronic course
Chronic is defined as viraemia and hepatic inflammation continuing for > 6 months
what
Define Hep D?
a defective virus, that may only co-infect with HBV or superinfect people who are already carriers of HBV – D is Dependent
describe the transmission of hep B and hep D?
sexual contact, blood and vertical transmission (from mother to baby)