WBR0342
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Microbiology |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Infectious Disease |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::Viral hepatitis is a major infectious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite being a relatively common disease, prognosis differs greatly depending on the host and the viral type and strain. Which of the following combinations is associated with the highest mortality?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Hepatitis A in young children |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Hepatitis A in young children is often asymptomatic and rarely carries the risk of associated morbidity and mortality. |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Hepatitis B in elderly patients |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Hepatitis B in elderly patients manifests as any acute hepatitis B would except chronicity is more common in elderly patients due to a relatively impaired immunity. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Hepatitis C in HIV patients |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::Hepatitis C and HIV co-infection is common although increases in mortality have not been documented. |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Hepatitis D in patients with acute Hepatitis B |
| Answer D Explanation | [[AnswerDExp::Hepatitis D can only be acquired in the context of Hepatitis B. Hepatitis D increases mortality significantly in patients with chronic hepatitis B and/or cirrhosis. It usually does not increase mortality as much in patients with acute hepatitis B.]] |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Hepatitis E in pregnant women |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::Hepatitis E is associated with high mortality in pregnant women of up to 20%, although it is a benign often asymptomatic disease in the general population. |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::E |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::The Hepatitis E virus is a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus transmitted via fecal-oral route. Clinically, hepatitis E is a benign disease often contracted in childhood and is usually asymptomatic. Mortality rates are very low except in patients with severe liver failure. Its course is generally comparable to Hepatitis A except in pregnant women where mortality rates following infection can be as high as 20% particularly in women who contract the virus during their third trimester.
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| Approved | Approved::No |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Hepatitis E, WBRKeyword::pregnant women, WBRKeyword::Hepatitis, WBRKeyword::mortality |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |