Serological and Molecular Detection of Viral Infections

Question 1

What are host immune responses in viral immunology?

Answer 1

Innate defenses; humoral antibody responses; cell-mediated immunity.

Question 2

What are virus evasion mechanisms in viral immunology?

Answer 2

Mutations; block immune system components; suppress immune response; alter immune function; latent state.

Question 3

Define hepatitis.

Answer 3

Inflammation of the liver.

Question 4

What are the most severe clinical manifestations of hepatitis?

Answer 4

Jaundice and elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes.

Question 5

What is the hepatitis B surface marker?

Answer 5

HBsAg.

Question 6

HBsAg is a marker for active ___ infection and a component of the ___ vaccine.

Answer 6

HBV; Hep B.

Question 7

The the result of a hepatitis B test is positive, but the patient is not showing any additional symptoms, what is the likely result?

Answer 7

Patient may have been recently vaccinated.

Question 8

What is the hepatitis Be antigen?

Answer 8

HBeAg.

Question 9

HBeAg is a marker of viral ___; indicates high ___.

Answer 9

replication; infectivity.

Question 10

IgM Anti-HBc is indicative of what condition?

Answer 10

Hepatitis core antibody; current infection.

Question 11

Anti-HBs is indicative of what?

Answer 11

Immunity to hepatitis B.

Question 12

Anti-Hbe is indicative of what?

Answer 12

Recover from hepatitis B.

Question 13

Total anti-HBc is indicative of what?

Answer 13

Current or post hepatitis infection.

Question 14

What hepatitis B surface antigen is first detected in an acute infection?

Answer 14

HBsAg.

Question 15

In an acute hepatitis B infection, which antibody is first to decrease concentration?

Answer 15

IgM Anti-HBc.

Question 16

In a chronic hepatitis B infection, which surface markers remain present?

Answer 16

HBsAg, HBeAg, and Total anti-HBc.

Question 17

Describe the predicted results of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb in the following situation:

Not immune - not protected.

Answer 17

Has not been infected, but is still at risk for possible hepatitis B infection.

HBsAg: negative
HBsAb: negative
HBcAb: negative

Question 18

Describe the predicted results of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb in the following situation:

Immune controlled-protected.

Answer 18

Surface antibodies are present due to natural infection. Has recovered from a prior Hep B infection. Cannot infect others.

HBsAg: negative
HBsAb: positive
HBcAb: positive

Question 19

Describe the predicted results of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb in the following situation:

Immune - protected

Answer 19

Has been vaccinated. Does not have the virus and has never been infected.

HBsAg: negative
HBsAb: positive
HBcAb: negative

Question 20

Describe the predicted results of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb in the following situation:

Infected.

Answer 20

Positive HBsAg indicates hep B virus is present. Virus can spread to others. Find a doctor who is knowledgeable about Hep B for further eval.

HBsAg: positive
HBsAb: negative
HBcAb: positive

Question 21

Describe the predicted results of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb in the following situation:

Could be Infected.

Answer 21

Result unclear - possible past or current hep B infection. Find a doctor who is knowledgeable about hep B for further eval.

HBsAg: negative
HBsAb: negative
HBcAb: positive

Question 22

In hepatitis C what positive screening result needs to be confirmed through secondary testing methods?

Answer 22

Anti-HCV IgG.

Question 23

Anti-HCV IgG testing may produce false-positive results due to…

Answer 23

Cross-reactivity.

Question 24

What are the confirmatory tests for Hepatitis C?

Answer 24

Nucleic acid testing for HCV RNA.

Question 25

Before starting treatment, what is additional testing is needed?

Answer 25

Genotyping.