QURRAT UL AIN MALIK

Viral Hepatitis is the Inflammation of liver caused by

a few specific viruses that primarily attack the liver

There are five main hepatitis viruses, known as types A, B,

C, D and E
 Hepatitis A – Infectious/epidemic hepatitis. (IgM anti-
HAV, anti-HAV & HAV RNA)
 Hepatitis B – Serum Hepatitis or Serum Jaundice.
(HBsAg, HBeAg IgM anti-HAV, anti-HAV, anti-Hbe,
anti-HBs, HBV DNA)
 Hepatitis C – Non A non B hepatitis. (Anti-HCV &
HCV RNA)
 Hepatitis D (IgM-anti-HDV, IgG-anti-HDV & HDV
RNA)
 Hepatitis E (IgM anti-HEV, IgG anti-HEV & HEV
RNA)
Differences between Hepatitis core antigen and surface antigen

a. The hepatitis surface antigen shows whether someone has ever had
infection before or not (be it in the past or present), used in screening tests
and it is cost effective.
b. The presence of the hepatitis core antigen shows a long standing infection
(chronic).
 Acute and Chronic Hepatitis

 The main difference between Acute and Chronic Hepatitis is the period of
time the infection has been in the body.
 Infection for less than 6 months : Acute Hepatitis infection.
 Persistence of infection by the Hepatitis Virus for more than 6 months :
Chronic Hepatitis infection.
 The Hepatitis Core antigen (cAg) shows whether there is Chronic hepatitis
or not.
Typical serological markers in acute hepatitis B
Typical serological markers in chronic hepatitis B
Laboratory Investigation

a. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay

b. Enzyme Linked immunoassay
c. DNA/RNA based diagnostic techniques
i. Hepatitis E affects pregnant women more.
ii. Hepatitis B is more deadly than hepatitis C as Hep B is more infectious and
drugs of treatment do not cure the disease but reduces the rate of progression.
iii. Hepatitis A, B and E have vaccines whereas Hepatitis C and D have none.
iv. In terms of Epidemics, Hepatitis A causes outbreaks more than other kinds of
Hepatitis.
v. The viral infection with the shortest incubation occurs in Hepatitis A and D
whereas the longest incubation period is with Hepatitis B and C.
vi. The Only DNA virus is Hepatitis B.