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VIRAL HEPATITIS
DR EJEMAI EBOREIME
INTRODUCTION
• Viral Hepatitis is a systemic disease primarily
affecting the liver.
• Hepatotropicviruses are the culprits in about
99% of cases
HEPATOTROPIC VIRUSES
• Hepatitis A virus (HAV):
▫ Picornavirus
▫ Transmitted feco-orally
▫ Causes acute but no chronic infection
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV):
▫ Hepadna virus
▫ Aka Dane particle
▫ Transmitted via body fluids
▫ Causes both acute and chronic infections
STRUCTURE OF HBV
HBsAg HBV-DNA
Polymeras
e
HBV- HBcAg
DNA HBeAg
(blood)
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV):
▫ RNA-containing flavivirus
▫ Causes chronic hepatitis
▫ Commonest mode of transmission is blood and
blood products
▫ Sexual and vertical transmissions are not very
common
• Hepatitis D virus (HDV):
▫ RNA-defective virus
▫ Incapable of independent replication
▫ Requires HBV