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Flashcards in Simple Viral Hepatitis Deck (38)
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1
Q

What is Hepatitis A virus

A

RNA picornavirus

2
Q

HAV transmission

A

Faecal-oral trasmission
Associated with contaminated shellfish
Virus passes into BILE after replication within liver cells
Immune system is activated by this process and leads to necrosis predominantly in zone 3 of the hepatic lobule.

3
Q

In what organ does HAV replicate and where does it then go?

A

Liver (inside liver cells)

Virus passes into bile

4
Q

HAV incubation period

A

2-3 weeks

5
Q

Investigations for HAV

A

Anti-HAV IgM in serum

6
Q

Conservative treatment of HAV

A

Vaccine for travellers to endemic areas

7
Q

Medical treatment of HAV

A

Supportive since HAV is often self-resolving

8
Q

Complications of HAV

A

(rarely) acute liver failure

9
Q

What is Hepatitis B virus

A

a partially stranded, enveloped DNA virus

It has an e-antigen that indicates increased infectivity

10
Q

HBV transmission

A

Vertical transmission
Contaminated needles
Infected blood products
Sexual intercourse

11
Q

HBV incubation period

A

1-5 months

12
Q

Investigations of HBV

A

HBV DNA in serum, HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc

HBsAg presents on histology with a ‘ground glass’ appearance

13
Q

Conservative treatment of HBV

A

Education and prevention of disease

Vaccine for at risk groups e.g. health workers

14
Q

Medical treatment of HBV

A

Antiviral medications e.g. pegylated alpha-2a interferon, adefovir, entecavir, lamivudine, tenofovir, telbivudine

15
Q

Complications fo HBV

A

Hepatic cirrhosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Fulminant hepatitis B

16
Q

What is Hepatitis C virus

A

Single stranded, enveloped RNA virus and a member of the flavivirus family

17
Q

Transmission of HCV

A

Vertical transmission (occassionally)
Contaminated needles
Infected blood products

18
Q

Incubation period of HCV

A

Intermediate

6-9 weeks

19
Q

Investigations of HCV

A

Antibody to HCV in the serum

20
Q

Complications of HCV

A

Hepatic cirrhosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Liver failure

21
Q

Conservative treatment of HCV

A

Education and prevention of the disease

22
Q

**Medical treatment of HCV

A

Antiviral medications e.g. Pegylated alpha-2a interferon, Ribavirin
(taribavirin, telaprevir)

23
Q

What is Hepatitis D virus

A

Single stranded defective RNA virus that co-infects with hepatitis B virus
Co-infectivity with HDV leads to an increased chance of liver failure

24
Q

Transmission of HDV

A

Contaminated needles
Infected blood products
Sexual intercourse (rare)

25
Q

Incubation period of HDV

A

1-5 months

26
Q

Investigations of HDV

A

Serum IgM anti-D

27
Q

Treatment of HDV

A

Medical - Pegylated alpha-2a interferon (antiviral medication)

28
Q

Complications of HDV

A

Hepatic cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma

29
Q

What is Hepatitis E virus

A

Single stranded RNA virus

30
Q

Transmission of Hepatitis E virus

A

Faecal-oral transmission, associated with contaminated water

31
Q

Incubation period of HEV

A

2-3 weeks

32
Q

Investigations of HEV

A

IgG and IgM anti-HEV

33
Q

Treatment of HEV

A

Usually self-limiting

34
Q

Complications of HEV

A

High mortality of pregnant women (~20%)

35
Q

Name 2 scenarios where a patient is infected by HCV but gives a false negative blood result for HCV antibody

A

Immunosuppressed patients

Patients in acute infection stage

36
Q

Name a country that had a failed public health initiative which resulted in widespread hepatitis C

A

Egypt

37
Q

Why can a vaccine for HCV not be developed

A

Rapid mutations that rapidly change envelope proteins

38
Q

Prevention of HCV spread

A

Screen blood products

Protection and precaution with handling of bodily fluids