Viral Hepatitis (B and D) Flashcards
Define hepatitis B and D.
Hepatitis caused by infection with hep B virus (HBV) which may follow an acute or chronic (defined as viraemia and hepatic inflammation continuing >6 months) course.
Hep D virus (HDV), a defective virus, may only co-infect with HBV or superinfect persons who are already carriers of HBV.
Which virus is related to hep B?
Hepatitis D – you can only get D if you have B. two Ds make a B
Can you be infected with only HDV?
Hep D virus (HDV), a defective virus, may only co-infect with HBV or superinfect persons who are already carriers of HBV.
What type of virus is HBV? How is it transmitted?
HBV is enveloped, partially double stranded DNA virus
Transmission by sexual contact, blood and vertical transmission
Name 3 viral proteins produced by HBV. How can you tell if someone is particularly infectious?
Various viral proteins are produced including:
- core antigen (HBcAg),
- surface antigen (HBsAg) and
- e antigen (HBeAg).
HBeAg is a marker of high infectivity.
What type of virus is HDV? Which proteins does it produce?
HDV is a single-stranded RNA virus
It is coated in HBsAg (surface antigen)
Summarise the pathophysiology of hepatitis.
Antibody and cell mediated immune responses to viral replication lead to liver inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis
Histology can be variable from mild to severe inflammation and changes of cirrhosis.
What are the risk factors for HBV?
- IV drug use
- unscreened blood and blood products
- infants of HbeAg-positive mothers
- sexual contact with carriers
- genetic - factors associated with increased rates of viral clearance
What affects the risk of persistant HBV infection?
Varies with age
Babies are more likely to develop chronic carriage
How common are HBV/HDV?
- Common but HBV is relatively uncommon in UK
- 350 million worldwide infected with HBV
- Common in southeast Asia, Africa, Mediterranean
- HDV also found worldwide
What is the incubation period for HBV?
3-6 months with a 1-2 week prodrome of malaise, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, RUQ pain
How does HBV present?
May present at any stage:
- 1-2 week prodrome of malaise, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, RUQ pain
- May experience serum sickness type illness - e.g. fever, arthralgia, polyarthritis, urticaria, maculopapular rash
- Jaundice then dark urine and pale stools
- Recovery within 4-8 weeks
- 1% develop fulminant liver failure
- Chronic carriage may be diagnosed after routine LFT or if cirrhosis decompensates
What percentage of those infected with HBV develop fulminant liver failure?
1%
What are the signs of HBV/HDV on examination?
Acute -
- jaundice
- pyrexia
- tender hepatomegaly
- splenomegaly
- cervial lymphadenopathy in 10-20%
- urticaria/maculopapular rash occasionally
Chronic:
- no findings or
- signs of chronic liver disease
- decompensation
What investigations would you do for HBV/HDV?
Viral serology:
- Acute HBV - HbsAg +ve, IgM anti-HbcAg (core antigen)
- Chronic HBV - HbsAg +ve, IgG anti-HBcAg, HbeAg +ve or -ve (negative in precore mutant variant)
- Cleared HBV/immunity - anti-HBsAg +ve, IgG anti-HBcAg
- HDV infection - detected by IgM or IgG against HDV
Other:
- PCR - detects HBV DNA and is the most sensitive measure of ongoing viral replication
- LFT - ++ AST and ALT, high bilirubin, high AlkPhos
- Clotting - high PT in severe disease
- Liver biopsy - percutaneous or transjugular if clotting is deranged or ascites present