PA11- Laboratory diagnosis of viral hepatitis and HIV infection
Hepatitis Viruses
Hepatitis viruses are a group of viruses that primarily infect the liver, leading to various forms of hepatitis. Among numerous viruses, five are known to cause primary hepatitis: Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D (HDV), and E (HEV). These viruses are categorized based on their nucleic acids and modes of transmission, with significant implications for prevention and treatment, as summarized in the following table:
Hepatitis Viruses Summary
Virus | Nucleic Acid | Transmission | Antiviral Treatment | Vaccine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HAV | RNA | Fecal-oral | No | Yes |
HBV | DNA | Sexual, Blood | Yes | Yes |
HCV | RNA | Blood | Yes | No |
HDV | RNA | Sexual, Blood | No | No |
HEV | RNA | Fecal-oral | Yes | Yes |
Notably, HBV, HCV, and HDV are capable of causing chronic hepatitis, which may progress to severe liver conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.