Serology seminar

Hepatitis

• is characterized by the inflammation of the liver, commonly

resulting from viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, or

autoimmune diseases

• The disorder affects liver function, potentially leading to sever

complications such as liver failure or cancer

Hepatitis A

→ MOT: Foodborne or contaminated water

→ Self-limiting

→ Vaccine is available

Hepatitis B

→ MOT: infected body fluids, needles, mother-child

→ Can be chronic

→ Vaccine is available

Hepatitis C

→ MOT: bloodborne, blood products (dialysis patients), sharing of needles

→ Majority of individuals with Hepatitis C does not exhibit symptoms.

→ No vaccine but there are anti-retroviral drugs available.

▪ No available vaccine due to its rapid mutation.

Hepatitis D

→ Superinfection of Hepatitis B

350 million; 1.34 million deaths annually

• Over _______________ people worldwide are living with chronic Hepatitis B or C, leading to approximately _______________.

Hepatitis B

• is particularly endemic in regions of Asia and sub-Saharan

Africa

- 6 out of 1000

- 7.3 million

- 1 out of 10 Filipino

• _____________ infected with chronic Hepatitis C

• Approximately ___________ adults infected with the virus

• ____________ is infected by Hepatitis B virus

→ 12% of those infected are chronic carriers

Chronic hepatitis infection

can result in sever long-term health issues, emphasizing the need for effective prevention and treatment

Serological tests

• detect antibodies or antigens related to hepatitis

viruses.

• Comon tests include:

→ Hepatitis A IgM

→ Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

→ Hepatitis C antibody tests

• These tests provide crucial information on active infection and immune

response.

• These are common in tertiary hospitals.

Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) Method

→ Used for Hepa A IgG

→ Hybrid version of ELISA

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

are essential for detecting viral RNA/DNA in hepatitis cases.

Molecular tests

These tests are particularly useful for chronic hepatitis infections and assessing viral load, guiding treatment decisions

Imaging techniques

• such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI are used to

assess liver damage and detect complications associated with Hepatitis

• These methods provide a non-invasive approach to visualize liver health and guide management

Liver biopsy

• involves obtaining a tissue sample to assess liver

inflammation and fibrosis due to hepatitis

• This invasive procedure provides critical information about the degree of

liver damage, informing treatment options

Rapid testing options

• such as point-of-care tests, allow quick and accessible diagnosis

• These tests can facilitate early treatment initiation, particularly in

underserved areas, improving patient outcomes