Week 5 Flashcards
What is the meaning of Hepatotropic?
Ability to infect hepatocytes (liver cells)
What are the 2 main facts for comparing Hepatitis Viruses A-E?
- All are hepatotropic
2. All belong to different virus families so possess entirely different properties
What are the viral features of Hepatitis A (HAV)?
- Single-stranded RNA
- Non-enveloped (naked)
- Only 1 serotype
What is the transmission of Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
- Feacal-oral
- Poor hand hygiene
- Contaminated food/water (raw shellfish)
What are the 6 stages of infection for Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
- Incubation 2-4 weeks
- Virus excreted in faeces 1-2 weeks before symptoms
- GI tract –> Blood
- Infect liver cells
- Biliary tract & back to GI tract
- Excretion in faeces
What are the clinical features of Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
- Fever, anorexia
- Nausea, vomiting
- Jaundice
- Dark urine, pale stools
- Liver enlarged
- Spleen palpable in 10%
How do you diagnose Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
Presence of anti-HAV IgM
What is the prognosis of Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
Excellent in young adults (0.1% mortality)
What is the treatment for Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
- No specific treatment
- Comfort & nutritional balance
- Fluid & electrolyte replacement
What is the preventative measurements for Hepatitis A virus (HAV)?
- Vaccine
- Good hygiene
- Resistant to chlorination
- Killed by boiling for 10mins
What are the viral features of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?
- Double-stranded DNA
- Enveloped
What are the 3 different Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens?
- HBsAg- surface antigen
- HBcAg- core antigen
- HBeAg- envelope antigen
What is the transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?
- Sexual intercourse
- Intra-uterine, peri- & post-natal infection
- Blood
- Contaminated needles
- Contaminated haemodialysis equipment
What are the stages of infection for Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?
- Incubation 2-4 months
- 50% develop chronic active hepatitis, 20% of these proceed to cirrhosis, 1-4% risk of these developing liver cancer
What is the definition of Icteric?
Jaundice
How do you discriminate between acute & chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection?
- Both have HBsAg & HBeAg appear during incubation
- In Acute Antibodies to HBeAg & HBsAg appear
- In Chronic there is continued presence of HBsAg & absence of antibodies
What are the clinical features of the Pre-icteric period in Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?
- Malaise
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Pain in right upper quadrant (tender liver)
What are the 3 possible clinical outcomes of Acute HBV infection?
- Fulminant (sudden) hepatitis
- Chronic hepatitis or asymptomatic carrier state
- Resolution
What is the treatment for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?
- Pegylated interferon (α-interferon)
- Nucleoside analogues such as oral lamivudine
What are the preventative measurements for Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?
- Vaccination (3 injections over 6months)
- HBV immunoglobulin
- Blood screening
- Needle exchange programmes
- Sexual health education
What are the viral features of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?
- 6 virus types
- Single-stranded RNA
- Enveloped
What are the clinical features of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)?
- Usually asymptomatic
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Rarely progress to cirrhosis
What may a small proportion of HCV patients develop?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
What is the transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)?
- Blood
- Blood contaminated needles
- Haemodialysis