Answer: It is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by an accumulation of copper in the liver and brain. The Wilson’s gene is ATP7B, which is either absent or markedly diminished in Wilson’s disease. The lack of the gene results in diminished synthesis of ceruloplasmin and/or defective transport of hepatocellular copper into bile for excretion. [...]

Answer: Viral hepatitides A,B,C,D,E Drugs: acetaminophen, antituberculosis drugs, troglitazone, Ectasy Herbal medications: Jin bu huan, comfrey Toxins: Amanita phalloides, carbontetrachloride, trichloroethyleneVascular: Budd-Chiari syndrome, veno-occlusive disease, ischemia or hypoxia, heatstroke Miscellaneous: malignant infiltration, Wilson’s disease, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, Reye’s syndrome Reference: Sleisenger MH, Fordtran JS (eds): Gastrointestinal Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management, 7th ed. [...]

Answer: Characteristically this entity involves a previously healthy patient who undergoes acute and progressive liver failure. The mortality rate is ∼ 80% if untreated. Fulminant hepatic failure usually begins as malaise, anorexia, and low-grade fever, followed by signs and symptoms of liver failure (e.g., jaundice, encephalopathy). The most common cause of death in fulminant hepatic [...]

Answer: Older age Underlying systemic illnesses Encephalopathy Ascites Bilirubin > 15 mg/dL Hypoglycemia Social problems that may result in loss to follow-up Pregnancy Underlying chronic hepatitis of another etiology Volume depletion or inability to hold down fluids Prothrombin time (PT) > 15 sec Albumin < 3 mg/dL Worsening PT or bilirubin with improving transaminases = [...]

Answer: Hepatitis G is an RNA virus that is transmitted primarily through blood and blood products. It frequently occurs as a coinfection with hepatitis C or other hepatitis viruses as a result of common modes of transmission. Currently no data support any role for hepatitis G in chronic or serious liver disease. Reference:  Sleisenger MH, [...]

Answer: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes enterically (fecal-oral) transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. It is endemic to Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, and Mexico but is rare in the U.S. It is also responsible for large epidemics of acute hepatitis. It is possible that zoonotic HEV infection may occur in areas where animal hosts are abundant, [...]

Answer: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a very small RNA virus that contains a defective genome and requires HBsAg to become pathogenic. Infection may occur under two circumstances: 1. In conjunction with simultaneous infection with hepatitis B in a previously unexposed patient (coinfection) 2. In the chronic carrier of HBsAg (superinfection). Hepatitis D is diagnosed [...]