Hepatitis aguda grave en niños de etiología no precisada y lo que es conocido, mayo 2022 / Severe acute hepatitis in children of unspecified etiology and what is known, May 2022

Hepatitis aguda es el término empleado para describir una variedad de condiciones patológicas caracterizadas por la inflamación aguda del parénquima hepático que evoluciona a la normalización de las pruebas funcionales hepáticas en un período menor a seis meses. Puede variar en el rango de leve y autolimitada a enfermedad severa que requiere trasplante hepático. Etiológicamente, puede ser ocasionada por agentes tóxicos, drogas, factores ambientales, procesos autoinmunes o agentes infecciosos (bacterias, hongos, parásitos y virus). Los virus son considerados los agentes etiológicos más comunes de la hepatitis aguda. Los virus de la hepatitis A, B, C, D y E son reconocidos como los causantes de hepatitis viral y difieren entre ellos en modos de trasmisión, severidad de la enfermedad, distribución geográfica y métodos de prevención. Otros agentes virales pueden causar una hepatitis aguda: virus Epstein-Barr, citomegalovirus, virus herpes simplex, coxsackievirus, virus dengue, coronavirus de tipo 2 causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2, por sus siglas en inglés).1 El 5 de abril de 2022, el Punto Focal Nacional del Reglamento Sanitario Internacional de Escocia Central notificó al Reino Unido un aumento significativo e inesperado de casos (10) de hepatitis aguda grave en niños menores de 10 años, previamente sanos, en los que no se identificó asociación conocida con los viajes. En nueve de los casos, el inicio de los síntomas fue en marzo de 2022 y en uno, en enero de 2022. Los 10 casos detectados fueron hospitalizados. Como resultado de una investigación a nivel nacional, el 8 de abril de 2022, en el Reino Unido se habían identificado un total de 74 casos, estableciendo como definición de caso confirmado toda persona que hubiera presentado una hepatitis aguda (resultado negativo a los virus de hepatitis A a la E) con transaminasas séricas >500 UI/L (Aspartato Transaminasa-AST o Alanina Transaminasa -ALT), con 10 años de edad o menos, desde...(AU)

Epidemiological profile of viral hepatitis infection in the population treated at a reference hospital in Alagoas / Perfil epidemiológico da infecção por hepatite viral na população atendida em hospital de referência em Alagoas

Viral hepatitis are widely spread infectious diseases caused by a variety of etiological agents that displays liver tropism as a common characteristic. A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study was conducted through the analysis of viral hepatitis medical records treated and diagnosed from 2010 to 2015. The relationship between the variables were made through the chi-square test. 632 viral hepatitis medical records were analyzed. The highest number of cases happened in 2011. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection was predominant. The most affected age group was < 20 years and the highest number of cases observed in this age group was related to HAV (p<0.001). The acute clinical form was predominant, with 70.2% of the cases. 92.3% of which corresponded to HAV infection (p<0.001). Most of the cases occurred in the brown race and male gender. Moreover, regarding the probable source/mechanism of infection, the contact with suspicious water/food for hepatitis A cases was highlighted. The sexual form predominated in HBV infection and previous history of blood transfusion in cases of hepatitis C. Most cases were spotted in the mesoregion of Eastern Alagoas, especially in the capital Maceió. It must be observed the importance of knowing the profile of this disease in order to understand its dissemination and thus have subsidies for the creation of actions and strategies to combat the infection.

A hepatite viral é uma doença infecciosa amplamente difundida causada por uma variedade de agentes etiológicos que exibem o tropismo hepático como uma característica comum. Um estudo descritivo, transversal, observacional e retrospectivo foi realizado por meio da análise de prontuários de hepatites virais tratados e diagnosticados de 2010 a 2015. A relação entre as variáveis foi feita através do teste qui-quadrado. Foram analisados 632 prontuários de hepatite sustero. O maior número de casos aconteceu em 2011. A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite A (HAV) foi predominante. A faixa etária mais atingida foi < 20 anos e o maior número de casos observados nessa faixa etária foi relacionado ao HAV (p<0,001). A forma clínica aguda foi predominante, com 70,2% dos casos. 92,3% dos quais corresponderam à infecção por HAV (p<0,001). A maioria dos casos ocorreu na raça parda e no sexo masculino. Além disso, quanto à provável fonte/mecanismo de infecção, foi destacado o contato com água/alimento suspeitos para os casos de hepatite A. A forma sexual predominou na infecção pelo HbV e histórico anterior de transfusão de sangue em casos de hepatite C. A maioria dos casos foi avistada na mesorregião do Leste de Alagoas, especialmente na capital Maceió. Deve-se observar a importância de conhecer o perfil dessa doença para entender sua disseminação e, assim, contar com subsídios para a criação de ações e estratégias de combate à infecção.

Qualidade dos dados das notificações de hepatites virais por acidentes de trabalho, Brasil / Data quality of the reporting of viral hepatitis caused by work-related accidents, Brazil

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a completitude e a consistência das notificações de hepatites virais por acidentes de trabalho no Brasil entre 2007 e 2014. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico analítico de avaliação da qualidade dos dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. Os dados foram analisados pelas frequências absoluta e relativa, variação percentual proporcional e pelo teste do χ2 linear. Resultados: A maior parte das variáveis obrigatórias e essenciais foi classificada em boa completitude, apesar de crescimento no período em estudo. A ocupação e a forma clínica foram classificadas como regular, com mais de 25,1% dos dados incompletos. A inconsistência foi considerada alta entre diferentes variáveis, superior a 15,0%, como por exemplo os marcadores sorológicos com os tipos de hepatites virais; e a idade com a ocupação e data de nascimento. Conclusões: Conclui-se que se faz necessária a avaliação da qualidade dos dados periodicamente, assim como a capacitação dos profissionais de saúde quanto ao preenchimento adequado e completo das notificações, o que contribui para atuação eficiente da vigilância das doenças transmissíveis e melhoria da qualidade de vida da população.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the completeness and consistency of reports describing viral hepatitis caused by work-related accidents in Brazil between 2007 and 2014. Methods: This is an analytical, epidemiological study evaluating the quality of data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação). Data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies, proportional percentage variation, and a linear χ2 test. Results: The majority of mandatory and essential variables were classified with good completeness, despite growth during the study period. The occupation and clinical form variables were classified as normal when they had less than 25.1% incomplete data. Inconsistency was considered high among different variables above 15.0%, including, for example, serologic markers with the types of viral hepatitis and age with occupation and date of birth. Conclusions: We need to evaluate data quality periodically, in addition to train health professionals on the adequate way to completely fill out reports, because this contributes to the establishment of an efficient surveillance of communicable diseases and improves the population's quality of life.

Acute hepatitis due to infectious mononucleosis in a 21-year-old-man / Hepatitis aguda por mononucleosis infecciosa en un varón de 21 años

A 21-year-old mole was admitted because of fever, fatigue, headache, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and dark urine for three days. The patient denied recent use of medicines or any other drug. His physical examination disclosed jaundice, hepato-splenomegaly, whitish-yellow covered tonsils, bilateral anterior and posterior cervical lymph node enlargement associated with edema on the face and neck. Routine blood tests detected abnormalities in serum bilirubins and liver enzymes (total bilirubin: 14.5 mg/dl, direct-reacting bilirubin: 12.9 mg/dl, AST: 697 U/l, ALT: 619 U/l, alkaline phosphatases: 260 U/l, and GGT: 413 U/l). Serological tests showed negative results for viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and toxoplasmosis markers, while serology for recent infection by EBV was positive (IgM: 70 and 29 U/ml; EBV IgG: 25 and 156 U/ml). Although infrequently, EBV infection can cause acute hepatitis with accentuated cholestatic jaundice (5% of cases), which may constitute an additional diagnostic challenge for primary care physicians. The patient improved with supportive management and was discharged after 12 days. This case study might contribute to increase the suspicion index about acute hepatitis related to EBV.

Un paciente varón de 21 años, fue hospitalizado por fiebre, astenia, cefalea, faringitis, dolor abdominal, pérdida del apetito, vómitos y orina oscura desde tres días antes. El paciente negó uso reciente de medicamentos y cualquier otra droga. Su examen físico reveló ictericia, hepato-esplenomegalia, amigdalitis, adenopatías cervicales anteriores y posteriores, asociadas con edema facial y cervical. Los exámenes de laboratorio mostraron elevación sérica de bilirrubina y enzimas hepáticas (bilirrubina total: 14,5 mg/dl, bilirrubina directa: 12,9 mg/dl, AST: 697 U/l, ALT: 619 U/l, fosfatasas alcalinas: 260 U/l, y gama-GT: 413 U/l). Los tests serológicos resultaron negativos para hepatitis viral A, B o C, citomegalovirus, VIH-1 y VIH-2, y toxoplasmosis; pero la serología de infección reciente por VEB fue positiva (IgM: 70 y 29 U/ml; IgG: 25 y 156 U/ml). Aunque raramente, las infecciones por VEB pueden causar una hepatitis aguda con acentuada ictericia colestásica (5% de los casos), que suele constituir un desafío diagnóstico adicional para los médicos en atención primaria. El paciente mejoró durante un tratamiento de apoyo y recibió alta hospitalaria después de 12 días. Este caso estimula a aumentar el índice de sospecha de hepatitis aguda relacionada con VEB.

Contribution of hepatitis E virus in acute sporadic hepatitis in north western India.

Background & objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute viral hepatitis. Majority of the documented studies on hepatitis E have been focused on the incidence of this disease in northern and south central India. Limited data are available on HEV infection among acute sporadic hepatitis cases in north western India. The present study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of hepatitis E virus infection in sporadic hepatitis cases in Rajasthan and neighbouring States. Methods: Seven hundred and thirty six patients suspected to have viral hepatitis were screened for the hepatotropic viral markers, hepatitis A, B, C and E by using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits with a high sensitivity and specificity. The acute nature of HEV infection was also confirmed by the detection of HEV RNA by nested RT-PCR. Results: Hepatitis E was found to be the major cause of acute sporadic viral hepatitis (49.7%) in this region of India. Mixed infections of HEV-HAV (1.2%), HEV-HBV (6.1%), and HEV-HCV (1.7%) were also detected. No viral marker was detected in 32 per cent cases. Interpretation & conclusion: HEV was found as the major aetiological agent of acute sporadic viral hepatitis in Rajasthan (north western India). It is important to screen primarily for all the common enterically and parenterally transmitted hepatotropic viral markers in acute sporadic viral hepatitis. There is a need to do additional serological and molecular tests to identify the aetiological agent in the cases of acute hepatitis.

Hepatitis and HIV infection during haemodialysis.

Viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are important causes of mortality and morbidity in patients treated by haemodialysis (HD). Both are further promoted by the characteristic immunological dysfunction that develops in renal failure and interferes with the patient's ability to eliminate these viruses. The hepatotropic viruses A through G remain the causative agents in 60 to 80% of hepatitis. But, as far as HD is concerned, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the two most important organisms responsible for almost all the patients' morbidity. In HD, both patients as well as staff are at a high risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection. The prevalence of HBV in the dialysis population in India is reported to range between 3.4% and 42%. The acute course of the infection is often anicteric and peak transaminase concentration is significantly less than in patients with normal renal function. Up to 60% of dialysis patients with HBV infection develop chronic hepatitis with persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and infectivity. The risk of transmission of HBV infection due to blood from one patient to another is mostly because of inadequate precautions taken by the dialysis staff. Combined therapy with interferon (6-10 million units) three times a week and lamivudine (100-300 mg/day) would be more effective in controlling viral replication. The most important modality for prevention of HBV infection is induction of immunity by hepatitis B vaccination. Administration of 40 microg doses at months 0, 1, 2 and 6 is the most rapid immunogenic schedule. The prevalence of HCV in HD patients ranges from 6% in the United Kingdom to 60% in Poland and Eastern Europe, 8-36% in North America. HD patients in different parts of India exhibit high anti-HCV positivity (12.1%, 45.2%, 33.3% and 41.9%) in various studies. The incidence and prevalence of HCV infection among patients on dialysis in developed countries are steadily declining because of (i) reduction in post-transfusion HCV infection, (ii) infection control measures to prevent nosocomial infection. Among HD patients with HCV infection, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT) levels are elevated in only 4 to 67% patients who are positive for anti-HCV, in only 12 to 31% patients with HCV RNA and only in one-third of those with biopsy proven hepatitis. Number of blood transfusion, duration of HD treatment, and mode of dialysis are important risk factors. Patient to patient transmission of HCV occurs in HD units by needle stick injury, breakdown in standard infection control practices, physical proximity to an infected patient, dialysis machines, dialysis membranes and HD ultrafiltrate and reprocessing of dialyser. The prevalence of HIV infection in dialysis populations varies according to different countries and geographic areas, 0% and 13% in 1990 and 1995 respectively. There was no evidence of transmission within the centre transmission, from patient to patient or patient to staff. Antiretroviral therapy is the corner-stone of the HIV infection in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Most commonly, zidovudine (AZT) has been used in these patients. Currently recommended dose of 200 mg three times a day is probably safe in these patients.

Hepatitis sifilítica en paciente infectado con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Syphilitic hepatitis in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Hombre de 34 años, con una semana de evolución de fiebre, cefalea y compromiso del estado general, a lo que se agregó posteriormente dolor en hipocondrio derecho, coluria e ictericia de piel y mucosas. El laboratorio evidenció leucopenia, plaquetopenia, hiperbilirrubi-nemia y gran aumento de las transaminasas. Se informó VDRL positivo » y más tarde un test de MHA-TP positivo. El estudio para hepatitis A, B, C, citomegalovirus y virus de Epstein Barr fue negativo, la IgG para virus de hepatitis E fue positiva. La biopsia hepática demostró alteraciones concordantes con hepatitis sifilítica. El paciente recibió penicilina benzatina 2.400.000 U.I. una vez a la semana durante tres semanas con buena respuesta. Después del alta se conoció reacción de polime-rasa en cadena positiva para el virus de inmuno-deficiencia humana (VIH). Este caso ejemplifica una manifestación poco usual de la sífilis secundaria, a la cual atribuimos la complicación hepática, que se presenta prácticamente pura en un paciente infectado con el VIH, dato conocido sólo después del alta

Hepatitis virales / Viral hepatitis

En esta revisión se describen los virus hepatotropos actualmente conocidos, su epidemiología con referencia especial a los datos nacionales relativos a los virus A, B, C y E; su historia natural y sus aspectos clínicos más relevantes. Se enfatizan, además los diferentes marcadores virales serológicos, para el diagnóstico de infección aguda o crónica. Se incluyen también los diferentes tratamientos y las medidas de prevención (pasivas o activas) recomendadas actualmente

Los virus de la hepatitis: del A al TT / Hepatitis virus: from A to TT

A great progress in the knowledge about hepatitis virus has occurred in the last decades and several virus have been identified. Virus B, C and D are transmitted parenterally, while virus A and E use the enteral route. Highly effective vaccines for A and B hepatitis are presently available. Virus C is an important cause of chronic liver disease at the present moment. Since the identification of virus C and E, the number of acute hepatitis denominated as non A non B has decreased considerable. Although there are still patients with viral hepatitis of unknown origin and there is considerable effort to identify the agents causing them. Virus G and TT are frequently present in the sera of patients with chronic liver diseases but their real pathogenic role is not completely elucidated

Aspectos clínicos y evolutivos en la hepatitis aguda recidivante o bifásica por virus A / Clinical and evolutive aspects in the acute relapsing or biphasic hepatitis A

Se estudiaron 106 pacientes masculinos, con diagnósticos de hepatitis viral aguda por virus a de diciembre de 1994 hasta junio 1996. A todos se les realizó seguimiento clínico y humoral semanal dirante su hospitalización, así como mensual al alta hospitalaria por espacio de 3 meses hasta el alta definitiva. Se les realizó tiempo de protombina y IgM-anti VHA a aquéllos que presentaron cuadro de recidiva, 18 pacientes (16,98 por ciento) presentaron cuadro clínico y humoral compatibles con hepatitis recidivante. Se describieron 3 variantes clínicas de hepatitis recidivante, una de ella no reportada en la literatura médica. La variante II fue la más frecuente y la que causó una morbilidad más prolongada en nuestra serie (16,1 por ciento). El 27 por ciento de los pacientes con hepatitis aguda bifásica presentó signos de fallo hepático. Estos resultados alertan sobre la potencial evolución hacia formas graves de este tipo de hepatitis

Ultraestructura del hepatocito en diversas hepatopatías / Hepatocyte ultrastructure in liver diseases

Se estudiaron 14 biopsias hepáticas obtenidas de ocho pacientes con hepatitis viral aguda y series con hepatopatías crónicas, y se halló buena correlación de los datos clínicos con las alteraciones morfológicas por lo que parece recomendable hacer una clasificación etiológica para evitar que los pacientes progresen a cirrosis y desarrollen carcinoma hepatocelular. El estudio de la hepatitis viral mediante los microscopios de luz y electrónico de transmisión, correlacionado con la clínica y completado con estudios de histoquímica y virología, sirven para aclarar interrogantes en relación a la identificación del virus

Significado clínico de los marcadores serológicos de las hepatitis virales / Clinical significance of viral hepatitis serologic markers

Las hepatitis virales son aquellas enfermedades infecciosas que tienen afinidad por el tejido hepático, al cual lesionan de manera selectiva. En el momento actual existen alrededor de 26 virus que pueden producir la enfermedad; sin embargo, sólo 6 están bien definidos desde el punto de vista biológico y son conocidos con las letras del alfabeto: A, B, C, D, E y G. Como cada uno de ellos tiene evolución diferente es necesario conocer con precisión la etiología de la hepatitis para saber el pronóstico del paciente y efectuar un tratamiento adecuado. Afortunadamente cada uno de ellos tiene antígenos y anticuerpos que se pueden determinar. En el presente informe se revisan el momento en que están presentes los antígenos y los anticuerpos de los principales virus que producen hepatitis, las técnicas de laboratorio que se utilizan, la duración de presentación y lo que significa desde el punto de vista clínico su presencia

Hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

To determine the prevalence and clinical relevance of HGV infection in dialysis patients, we performed a cross-sectional study of 61 HD patients and 79 Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients. HGV-RNA was identified by reverse-transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with primers from the 5'-untranslated region of the viral genome. The prevalence of HGV infection was similar in HD and CAPD patients (9.8% vs. 12.7%), while that of HCV infection was significantly higher in HD patients compared to CAPD patients (16.4% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.05). The mean age (49.2 +/- 13.4 vs. 46.7 +/- 13.0 years), male to female ratio (2.4:1 vs. 1.3:1), history of transfusion (62.3% vs. 49.4%), history of hepatitis (27.9% vs. 26.6%), mean ALT level during the previous 6 months (22.4 +/- 37.9 vs. 14.0 +/- 7.4 IU/L), and the prevalence of HBsAg (8.2% vs. 6.3%) showed no difference between HD and CAPD patients. In both HD and CAPD patients, the presence of HGV RNA was not related to age, sex, duration of dialysis, history of transfusion, history of hepatitis, or to the presence of HBV or HCV markers. There was no significant difference in the clinical and biochemical data between patients with isolated HGV infection (n = 12) and patients without viremia (n = 106). The clinical feature of patients coinfected with HGV and HBV (n = 2), or HGV and HCV (n = 2) seemed to be similar to those of patients with isolated HBV (n = 8) or HCV (n = 9) infection. In conclusion, the prevalence of HGV infection was not different between HD and CAPD patients, and HGV infections did not seem to be associated with clinically significant hepatitis. The routes of HGV transmission, other than transfusion or contamination during HD procedure, were suspected.

Hepatites virais: atualizaçäo / Viral hepatitis: update

Objetivo: os autores apresentaram uma revisäo dos diferentes tipos de hepatite viral na infância. Säo discutidos, com ênfase especial, os aspectos clínicos-laboratoriais e evolutivos das formas mais freqüentes da doença. Métodos: Foram selecionados, através de Medline, os artigos mais significativos publicados nos últimos anos sobre hepatite viral na infância. As características epidemiológicas säo discutidas, sempre que possível, levando em conta dados brasileiros. Resultados: A presente revisäo analisa as hepatites causadas por agentes que têm em comum a origem viral e o hepatotropismo mas que determinam doenças com diferenças marcantes sobretudo quanto a evoluçäo e prognóstico. Em relaçäo ao vírus B, por exemplo o paciente pode apresentar desde um simples estado de portador até hepatite aguda, hepatite crônica, cirrose...

role of hepatitis E virus infection among patients with acute viral hepatitis in southern Saudi Arabia

We investigated etiology of acute sporadic viral hepatitis in southern in Saudi Arabia in a series of 132 patients admitted with acute viral hepatitis. Of these cases, 108 [51.8%] were due to acute hepatitis A virus infection, of which 11 [8.3%] patients had been previously exposed to hepatitis E virus, and another 10 [7.6%] were chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. These cases [2.3%] were acute hepatitis B virus infection. The overall prevalence of hepatitis E I[g]G antibodies was found to be 9.1%. The remaining 21 [15.9%] patients were tested for hepatitis E I[g]M, EBV-VCA I[g]G antibodies by sensitive enzyme immunoassays. In none of them could hepatitis E I[g]M, EBV-VCA I[g]M or hepatitis C I[g]G antibodies be demonstrated, and these patients were thus considered as acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. Acute hepatitis C virus infection, however, could not be ruled out from this group. We therefore concluded that the majority of clinically apparent viral hepatitis cases were due to HAV, while HBV accounted for a small proportion of the cases. Clinically apparent HEV infection dose not appear to be common in the population studied, since even those with serologic evidence of previous exposure to HEV did no recall a history suggestive of acute viral hepatitis

Hepatitis viral: el virus A al virus G / Viral hepatitis: from A to G viruses

randes avances se han conseguido en los últimos 10 años en el estudio de la hepatitis viral. El enigma de la hepatitis noA noB se aclaró con el descubrimiento del virus C y luego del virus E. Recientemente se han aislado dos nuevos virus, especialmente el G, que explicaría la etiología de casos de hepatitis sin marcador viral conocido. Aspectos epidemiológicos y clínicos se revisan resaltando algunas formas clínicas: en hepatitis A, la forma colestásica y la recidivante; en la hepatitis B, la producida por los virus mutantes; y en la hepatitis C, la escasez de síntomas en la fase aguda y la silenciosa evolución a la cronicidad en más del 70% de casos. En el diagnóstico se han desarrollado nuevas técnicas para la detección y confirmación de anticuerpos así como del virus mismo. La técnica del PCR se ha desarrollado y perfeccionado, siendo necesario su comercialización con fines prácticos. Es importante la cuantificación del virus antes de dicidir el tratamiento y evaluar el éxito. Tanto el virus A como el virus E no permanecen en el huésped, logrando inmunidad permanente todos los que sanan. El 10% y el 80% de los infectados con el virus B y C respectivamente van a la cronicidad. En el tratamiento de la hepatitis viral crónica, sólo el Interferon alfa ha tenido éxito en el 40%, resolviéndose la enfermedad. Sin embargo las recaídas son frecuentes, estudiándose la combinación con Rivabirina e incremento y frecuencia de la dosis de interferón. Se recomienda el uso de interferón alfa en la forma aguda de hepatitis viral por virus C, para prevenir la evolución a la cronicidad. En la prevención de la hepatitis por virus A y B se usan las vacunas respectivas en los grupos de alto riesgo y se recomienda fuertemente incluirlas en los programas; de vacunación de los niños. Hasta la fecha no se logra producir una vacuna contra el virus C, por la cambiante composición del genoma viral...

Great advances has been achieved in the last 10 years in the study of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. The enigma of non-A non-B viral hepatitis was disclosed when C virus was identified and later when E virus was isolated. New viruses has been searched to explain non-A to non-E viral hepatitis, being reported recently G virus. Epidemiology and clinical aspects has been reviewed identifying unusual clinical forms: choletasic and relapsing hepatitis in HAV infection; escape mutants B virus hepatitis in HVB infection; and the silent evolution to chronicity in more than 70% of cases in HVC infection. Diagnostic techniques has been developed to asses serum antibodies and the virus itself. lt is important to quantitate the viral particies in the serum before treatment. PCR technique has been used with good results. A and E virus do not remain in the host and permanent inmunity is obtained after infection is resolved. 10% of B and 80% of C viral hepatitis goes to chronicity. So far, the only drug used to treat chronic viral B, D and C hepatitis is interferon alfa, obtaining good response en 40%. Combinations with Rivabirin and increasing the dose, frequency and duration of interferon treatment are in study. lt is a recomendotion to treat acute HCV infection with Interferon alfa to prevent chronicity. Vaccines against A and B virus are used, being inciuded in childhood vaccination programs. No HVC vaccine has developed probably to constant virus mutancy. New chalenges are present in this field and in the identification of new hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis viral en la gestación

La primera causa de ictericia en el embarazo es la hepatitis viral que puede se causada por lo menos por cinco virus (A,B,C,D yE). El descubrimiento del virus de la hepatitis C y Delta prácticamente eleiminó las antes denominadas Hepatitis No A No B y aún existe la posibilidad de descubrir nuevos virus. En este artículo se presenta un caso clínico de hepatitis B y se revisa etiología, diagnóstico, profilaxis y tratamiento de las diferentes hepatitis virales, haciendo énfasis en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y profilaxis del hijo de madre con hepatitis B, por la morbilidad que representa. Se revisa la hepatitis Delta, importante en Colombia, por tener zonas endémicas de este virus que requiere la infección previa o simultánea de hepatitis B. Por último se revisa la hepatitis E, de características similares a la hepatitis A, pero que afecta preferencialmente a la mujer gestante y en ella tiene mayor índice de morbimortalidad

Análise da incidência de hepatite entre cirurgiöes-dentistas, acadêmicos de odontologia e seus familiares / Analysis of the incidence of hepatitis among dentists, dentistry students and their relatives

Com a crescente preocupaçäo das autoridades na área da saúde frente as várias doenças infecto-contagiosas, este trabalho se propôs a fazer uma análise da hepatite entre profissionais e acadêmicos de Odontologia e sua correlaçäo direta com seus familiares. Foram elaborados questionários que subsidiaram a análise e conclusöes do mesmo. Ficou evidente que existe um risco potencial do Cirurgiäo-Dentista e acadêmico de serem portadores. Quanto mais tempo o estudante avança na graduaçäo, maior é a probabilidade de contrair a doença. O mesmo acontece quando é considerado o tempo de formado do Cirurgiäo-Dentista