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Title

Hepatitis: General Perspectives (1 credit hours)

Abstract

This course focuses on the biology, transmission and pathogenesis of Hepatitis B and C, two of the seven varieties of hepatitis attributable to viral infection. The Hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted by serum and therefore are of most concern to health care providers. Principles of immunization and post-exposure considerations are described.

Planners, content specialists and feedback personnel have declared that there is no conflict of interest in the preparation and content of this module. There is no commercial support for or endorsement of products in this module.

Author

Dan Becker, D.D.S

Dr. Becker received his bachelor of science in zoology from Ohio University in 1968 and his doctor of dental surgery from Ohio State University in 1972. Although Dr. Becker is a dentist, his interest always centered on academia and he began teaching biology at Sinclair Community College (Dayton, OH) as a part-time instructor in the autumn of 1972. He accepted a full-time faculty position in the Dental Hygiene department in 1976, but continued his teaching within the Biology department as well.

Dr. Becker's interest in pharmacology and anesthesia attracted him to Miami Valley Hospital where he became involved with their dental residency instructing dental residents and learning from mentors during rotations within departments of anesthesia and emergency medicine. During this time, he developed and taught courses in pharmacology and pathophysiology for nursing and other allied health programs until his teaching at Sinclair became entirely devoted to these subject areas. Currently he is a full professor at Sinclair Community College and Associate Director of Education at Miami Valley Hospital. He has published in numerous scientific journals and textbooks, and lectures extensively throughout the United States and Canada.

Objectives

After studying the information presented, the reader should be able to:

Describe the pathogenesis and clinical phases of viral hepatitis.
Describe components of the hepatitis B virus and the biology of infection.
Identify the serological markers associated with HBV infection and the basis for diagnosis of the carrier state and its degree of infectivity.
Explain active and passive immunization strategies against HBV.
Compare infection with hepatitis C to hepatitis B in terms of transmission and chronic infection.

Resources

Barash C, Conn MI, DiMarino AJ, et al. Serologic hepatitis immunity in vaccinated health care workers . Arch Intern Med 1999; 159:1481-3.

Center for Disease Control. Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis MMWR 2001; 50(RR11;-43.

Center for Disease Control. Immunization of Health-Care Workers: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). MMWR 1997;46(RR-18):1-42.

Dienstag JL, Isselbacher KJ. Acute Viral Hepatitis. In: Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Isselbacher KJ, et al Eds. Harrison's Textbook of Internal Medicine. 15th edition. New York: McGraw Hill Book Co; 2001.

European Concensus Group on Hepatitis B Immunity. Are booster immunizations needed for lifelong hepatitis B immunity? Lancet 2000; 355:561-65.

Lauer GM, Walker BD. Hepatitis C virus infection. N Engl J Med 2001;345:41-52.

Lee WM. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med 1997; 337(24):1733-45.

Lemon SM, Thomas DL. Vaccines to prevent viral hepatitis. N Engl J Med 1997; 336(3):196-204.

Seef LB, Miller RN, Rabkin CS, et al. 45-year followup of hepatitis C virus infection in healthy young adults. Ann Intern Med 2000; 132:105-11.

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