In this essay we will discuss about Viral Hepatitis. After reading this essay you will learn about: 1. Introduction to Hepatitis 2. Pathology of Hepatitis 3. Pathogenesis for Hepatitis 4. Hepatitis Vaccine 5. Classification of Hepatitis.
Contents:
- Essay on the Introduction to Hepatitis
- Essay on the Pathology of Hepatitis
- Essay on the Pathogenesis for Hepatitis
- Essay on the Hepatitis Vaccine
- Essay on the Classification of Hepatitis
Essay # Introduction to Hepatitis:
Viral hepatitis is a systemic disease with primary inflammation in the liver. Most of the viral hepatitis resemble each other in clinical symptoms; whereas Hepatitis B viral infection is mostly severe and fatal. Many cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are due to Hepatitis B and C viruses.
Essay # Pathology of Hepatitis:
The lesions in liver produced by all types of hepatitis viruses are similar and consist of infiltration of mononuclear cells (mainly lymphocytes), necrosis of hepatic cells, hyperplasia of Kupffer cells and variable degree of cholestasis. Parenchymal cell damage is due to hepatic cell degeneration and necrosis, ballooning of single cells and acidophilic degeneration of hepatocytes as they die.
In healthy carrier and chronic hepatitis due to Hepatitis B virus (HBV), large hepatocytes with a ground glass appearance of the cytoplasm may be seen; these cells contain Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg). In chronic hepatitis, there is piece meal necrosis at first and later on fibrosis occurs which ultimately leads to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma.
Essay # Pathogenesis for Hepatitis:
Though Hepatitis viruses differ antigenically, their clinical features are almost similar. These viruses cause acute inflammation of the liver with a clinical picture characterised by fever, anorexia and malaise followed by nausea, vomiting and liver tenderness (pre-icteric phase). This phase may last for a few days and sometimes it may continue longer (3 weeks or more).
As this phase subsides, the icteric phase appears with jaundice with dark urine, pale stools, obstructive jaundice with a slow recovery period of 4-6 weeks and longer severe cases. Symptomless or minor infection is also common in HAV and HEV types.
Essay # Hepatitis Vaccine:
Potato vaccine offered hope against Hepatitis A virus vaccine grown in genetically engineered potatoes—seemed to protect more people who ate them, reported by Times of India in February 2005.
About 60% of the volunteers who ate these potatoes showed an immune response that should protect against infection with hepatitis B virus that is shown to stimulate the immune system response.
Antibodies raised in most of 60% volunteers who ate more than three pieces of the genetically engineered potatoes and more than those who ate two pieces.
Hepatitis B virus vaccine shot should be kept refrigerated and expensive—meaning that it cannot be used in many poor countries. People prefer edible vaccine than to get a shot.
Scientists are working to grow the vaccine in banana, tomato or tobacco.
In 1996, 115 million people were infected with HBV even though vaccine isolated from yeast became available in 1986.
Global mortality due to HBV was to be one million cases per year. Hepatitis B vaccine booster was not required as published in Lancet, 2005—reported in Times of India (Oct. 2005) because of immunizing effect of Hepatitis B vaccine lasts for ten years. Infants and adolescent immune system recalls the response to Hepatitis B virus for more than 10 years after immunization.
Essay # Classification of Hepatitis:
There are six major types of primary hepatotrophic, acute hepatitis viruses. Besides, other viruses are also responsible for acute viral hepatitis.
