WBR0342
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1], Alison Leibowitz [2] (Reviewed by Alison Leibowitz)]] |
|---|---|
| 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, and despite being a relatively common disease, prognosis differs greatly depending on the host, viral type, and strain. Which of the following combinations is associated with a high mortality rate?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Hepatitis A in young children |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Hepatitis A in young children is often asymptomatic and rarely is associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Hepatitis B in elderly patients |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Hepatitis B in elderly patients manifests in the same manner as typical acute hepatitis B, except chronicity is more common in elderly patients as a result of their impaired immunity. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Hepatitis C in patients with cryoglobulinemia |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::Hepatitis C in conjunction with cryoglobulinemia does not increase the mortality rate. |
| 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. Although, hepatitis D increases mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B and/or cirrhosis, it usually does not increase the rate of mortality 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, a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus transmitted via fecal-oral route, is a clinically benign disease often contracted in childhood and usually asymptomatic. Mortality rates are typically low, with the exception being patients with severe liver failure. In pregnant women infected with hepatitis E, mortality rates can be as high as 20%, particularly in women who contract the virus during their third trimester. Educational Objective: Hepatitis E is associated with increased mortality in pregnant women. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Hepatitis E, WBRKeyword::pregnant, WBRKeyword::pregnancy, WBRKeyword::Hepatitis, WBRKeyword::mortality |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |