Viral Families of Hepatitis A–E

• What is the definition of viral hepatitis?

  Inflammation of the liver
• What are common symptoms of viral hepatitis?

  • Jaundice
  • Poor appetite
  • Malaise
  • Pain in upper abdomen
  • Fatigue
  • Enlargement of liver, lymph nodes, and spleen
• What do high levels of aspartate and alanine transaminases indicate in blood tests?

  They indicate liver inflammation or damage
• How can viral hepatitis manifest in patients?

  As acute or chronic diseases, or symptom-free
• What is the general treatment for viral hepatitis?

  • Bed rest
  • Abstaining from alcohol
  • Avoiding medication
• What specific treatments are available for Hepatitis B?

  Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil
• What is the treatment for Hepatitis C?

  Combination of peginterferon and ribovarin
• When might a liver transplant be necessary?

  For failure caused by Hepatitis B, C, or D
• Which hepatitis virus has an available vaccine?

  HAV and HBV
• What is the virus family of Hepatitis A?

  Picornaviridae
• What type of nucleic acid does Hepatitis A have?

  ssRNA
• How is Hepatitis A transmitted?

  Through the fecal-oral route
• What was the former name of Hepatitis A?

  Infectious hepatitis
• What is the incubation period for Hepatitis A?

  20–40 days
• What is the severity and chronicity of Hepatitis A?

  Mild and acute, no chronic stage
• What indicates a recent infection of Hepatitis A in serological tests?

  Anti HAV IgM
• What does the presence of HA Ag indicate?

  It is detectable before clinical symptoms
• What is the lab finding for acute Hepatitis A?

  HA Ag +, Anti HAV IgM +, Anti HAV IgG +
• What percentage of the world population has been infected with Hepatitis A?

  About a third
• What is the virus family of Hepatitis B?

  Hepadnaviridae
• What type of nucleic acid does Hepatitis B have?

  Circular, partially dsDNA
• How is Hepatitis B transmitted?

  Parenteral and perinatal routes
• What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B?

  45–160 days
• What is the severity and chronicity of Hepatitis B?

  Occasionally severe; 5–10% chronic
• What does HBsAg indicate in Hepatitis B diagnosis?

  Current infection
• What does HBeAg indicate in Hepatitis B diagnosis?

  High viral replication/infectivity
• What does total anti-HBc indicate?

  Exposure to the virus
• What does anti-HBc IgM indicate?

  Acute or recent infection
• What does anti-HBs IgG indicate?

  Immunity from vaccination or past infection
• What does anti-HBe IgG indicate?

  Seroconversion from HBeAg
• What does HBV DNA indicate?

  Viral presence
• What are the lab findings for acute Hepatitis B?

  HBsAg +, HBeAg +, Anti HBcIgM +
• What are the lab findings for chronic Hepatitis B?

  HBsAg +, Anti HBc total +, Anti Hbe +
• What are the key scenarios for interpreting Hepatitis B serological tests?

  • HBsAg Neg, anti-HBcAg Neg, anti-HBsAg Neg: Susceptible, not exposed, not vaccinated.
  • HBsAg Neg, anti-HBcAg Pos, anti-HBsAg Pos: Immune due to prior infection.
  • HBsAg Neg, anti-HBcAg Neg, anti-HBsAg Pos: Immune due to vaccination.
  • HBsAg Pos, anti-HBcAg Pos, anti-HBcAg IgM Pos, anti-HBsAg Neg: Acute HBV infection.
  • HBsAg Pos, anti-HBcAg Pos, anti-HBcAg IgM Neg, anti-HBsAg Neg: Chronic HBV infection.
  • HBsAg Neg, anti-HBcAg Pos, anti-HBsAg Neg: May be in recovery, carrier, or other possibilities.
• What is the virus family of Hepatitis C?

  Flaviviridae
• What type of nucleic acid does Hepatitis C have?

  ssRNA
• How is Hepatitis C transmitted?

  Parenteral and perinatal routes
• What is the incubation period for Hepatitis C?

  15–150 days
• What is the severity and chronicity of Hepatitis C?

  Subclinical; 70% chronic
• What does Anti-HCV IgG indicate?

  Exposure or infection