Ruth, a 25 year office worker, decided to visit the doctor’s office after noticing changes in her body. She complained of severe nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and loss in appetite. But her biggest worries are her frequent skin itching, bloated belly and apparent yellowish pallor. After physically examining Ruth, the doctor ordered several laboratory tests. These include CBC, Coagulation studies, blood chemistry and Serologic tests. The results showed Prolonged Prothrombin time, increased INR, decreased blood proteins such as albumin, elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin levels. Her serology was reactive for the Hepatitis B surface antigen, positive for Total anti-HBc but negative for the anti-HBe and anti-HBs 1. Assume that the physician ordered a serological test for an HDV antibody profile. The results are the following Anti- HDV: POSITIVE IgM Anti- HBc : NEGATIVE HBsAg: POSITIVE Question: Is Ruth infected with Hepatitis D virus? If yes, is it a superinfection or coinfection? Defend your choice. 2. With reference to number 4, why do you think that HDV is not screened in blood products unlike Hepatitis B? 3. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis D? If none, give rationalizations as to why.
Ruth, a 25 year office worker, decided to visit the doctor’s office after noticing changes in her body. She complained of severe nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and loss in appetite. But her biggest worries are her frequent skin itching, bloated belly and apparent yellowish pallor. After physically examining Ruth, the doctor ordered several laboratory tests. These include CBC, Coagulation studies, blood chemistry and Serologic tests. The results showed Prolonged Prothrombin time, increased INR, decreased blood proteins such as albumin, elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin levels. Her serology was reactive for the Hepatitis B surface antigen, positive for Total anti-HBc but negative for the anti-HBe and anti-HBs
1. Assume that the physician ordered a serological test for an HDV antibody profile. The results are the following
Anti- HDV: POSITIVE
IgM Anti- HBc : NEGATIVE
HBsAg: POSITIVE
Question: Is Ruth infected with Hepatitis D virus? If yes, is it a superinfection or coinfection? Defend your choice.
2. With reference to number 4, why do you think that HDV is not screened in blood products unlike Hepatitis B?
3. Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis D? If none, give rationalizations as to why.
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