Microbiology 7: Viral Hepatitis Flashcards
How is hepatitis A transmitted ?
Faecal-oral route
What is the diagnostic test for viral hepatitis A ?
IgM anti-hepatitis A virus
A person has a high IgM, high IgG, normal ALT.
Are they: A) infected with Hepatitis A B) Immunised against hepatitis A C) infected with Hepatitis C D) post hepatitis A infection
B- This patient has the antibodies against Hepatitis A virus, but does not have active viral infection and hence no hepatitis so ALT is normal.
How is Hepatitis B transmitted ?
Sexual intercouse
Blood products
Mother to baby
What is the diagnostic test for hepatitis B ?
Surface antigen screening test
Which cancer is associated with hepatitis B ?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
What are the treatments for Hepatitis B virus ?
Interferon Alpha
Tenofovir or Entecavir
Tenofovir + Emtricitabine (especially if HIV +ve and HBV +ve)
What does a +ve HBsAg (hep B surface antigen) tell you ?
The patient has active hepatitis B infection and is still infectious to others.
What does a +ve anti- HBs (antibodies to the surface antigen) tell you ?
The patient is immune to the hepatitis B virus either due to recovery from prior infection (will also be +ve for anti-HBc) , or post immunisation (-ve for anti- HBc).
What does this hep B serology tell you ?
HBsAg +ve
Anti-HBc +ve
IgM anti-HBc +ve
Anti- HBs -ve
The patient is acutely infected with hepatitis B
What does this hep B serology tell you ?
HBsAg +ve
Anti-HBc +ve
IgM anti-HBc -ve
Anti- HBs -ve
This patient is chronically infected with Hep B
What does this hep B serology tell you ?
HBsAg -ve
Anti-HBc -ve
Anti- HBs -ve
Patient has never been exposed to Hep B virus and is susceptible to infection.
Which groups of people are particularly at risk of hepatitis C infection ?
IVDU
MSM
What is the main route of transmission of hepatitis C ?
Blood products
What is the diagnostic investigation for Hepatitis C ?
HCV RNA PCR
