Hepatitis-C HCV, Symptoms, Causes, Pathogenesis, Treatment and MCQs for NEET, GPAT, NET JRF Exam

Hepatitis-C HCV, Symptoms, Causes, Pathogenesis, Treatment and MCQs for NEET, GPAT, NET JRF Exam

INTRODUCTION :-

1.] Initially, in previous times Hepatitis – C was designated as non – A and non – B [ NANB ] hepatitis. But, now it has been characterized and is called Hepatitis – C.

2.] Hepatitis – C infection is acquired by the blood transfusion, blood products, haemodyialysis, parental drug abuse and accidental cuts and Needle pricks in health workers.

3.] About 90% of post – transfusion hepatitis is of hepatitis – C type.

4.] About 1 – 2% of volunteer blood donor and upto 5% of professional blood donors are the carrier of HCV.

5.] It has an incubation period of about 20 – 90 days ( mean 50 days ).

6.] Persistent of infection and chronic hepatitis are the key features of HCV.

7.] Currently, HCV is considered more important cause of chronic liver disease worldwide than HBV.

HEPATITIS – C VIRUS [ HCV ] :-

1.] HCV is a single – stranded, enveloped RNA virus, having a diameter of 30 – 60 nm.

2.] HCV genome has about 3000 amino acids.

3.] The genomic organization of HCV shows a 5’ terminal end, C (caspid) region and the envelope region E1 and E2 in the exons.

4.] The viral protein results in corresponding serologic and virologic markers of HCV infection as under :-

A.) ANTI HCV ANTIBODIES :

  • 1st generation antibodies are against C 100 – 3 region protein and appear 1 – 3 months after infection.
  • 2nd generation antibodies are against C 200 and C 33c protein appear about 1 month earlier than the 1st generation.
  • 3rd generation antibodies are against C22 – 3 and NS – 5 region proteins and are detected even earlier.

B.) HCV RNA : HCV infection is, however confirmed of HCV – RNA employing PCR technique which can be detected within a few days after the exposure of the HCV infection.

PATHOGENESIS :-

HCV induces hepatocellular injury by cell – mediated immune mechanism is supported by the following :-

  • It is possible that the host lymphoid cell are infected by HCV.
  • Natural killer cell [NK] cells also seem to contribute to containment ( the limitation of something harmful ) of HCV infection.
  • HCV activated CD4+ lymphocytes stimulate CD8+ T lymphocytes via cytokines elaborated by CD4+ helper T – cells.
  • The stimulated CD8+T lymphocytes, in turn, elaborate antiviral cytokines against various HCV antigen.
  • This may seriously hamper efforts to develop an effective HCV vaccine, particularly because HCV appears to be a relatively unstable virus, with continued alteration in envelope antigen expression.

TREATMENT :-

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes liver inflammation that can lead to liver problems, including cancer. People who have chronic hepatitis C need medication to treat it. These drugs can ease symptoms of HCV.

A.] RIBAVIRIN :

Ribavirin works by stopping viruses from replicating and spreading. It’s an oral medication that comes as a capsule, tablet, or solution and is available in several strengths. It’s used in combination with other drugs.

Brand names of ribavirin include:

  • Copegus
  • Moderiba
  • Rebetol
  • Ribasphere
  • Ribasphere RibaPak

Ribavirin may cause birth defects if a woman takes it during pregnancy. It can also cause birth defects if a man fathers a child during his treatment with this drug.

B.] DIRECT – ACTING ANTIVIRALS ( DAAs )

C.] Protease inhibitor antiviral medications (NS3/4A inhibitors)

  • paritaprevir, for genotype 1
  • simeprevir (Olysio), for genotypes 1 and 4
  • grazoprevir, for genotypes 1 and 4

D.] Protease inhibitors (NS5A inhibitors)

Examples of directed inhibitors include:

  • ledipasvir (a component of the combination drug Harvoni)
  • ombitasvir (a component of the combination drug Viekira Pak)
  • elbasvir (a component of the combination drug Zepatier)
  • daclatasvir (Daklinza)

E.] Nucleotide/nucleoside and nonnucleoside polymerase inhibitors (NS5B inhibitors)

Examples of these drugs include:

  • sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)
  • dasabuvir

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) :-

1.] Hepatitis – C causes an infection of the ?

a. Brain

b. Liver

c. Kidney

d. Blood

2.] Is hepatitis – C contagious ?

a. True

b. False

3.] In most people, what are the symptoms of hepatitis – C when they are initially infected ?

a. Itching

b. Jaundice

c. Back pain

d. Most people do not experience symptom

4.] What are cirrhosis ?

a. Scarring of the liver

b. Liver pain

c. Early – stage liver cancer

d. All of the above

5.] There is a vaccination against Hepatitis – C ?

a. True

b. False

6.] Hepatitis – C virus has how many amino acids ?

a. 1000 amino acids

b. 2000 amino acids

c. 1500 amino acids

d. 3000 amino acids

7.] Hepatitis – C virus is which type of virus ?

a. Single stranded, enveloped, having diameter of 30 – 60nm

b. Double stranded, non – enveloped with a diameter of 30 – 60nm

c. Both the above statements are incorrect

d. None of the above

8.] Incubation period for HCV are ?

a. 10 – 15 days

b. 20 – 90 days

c. 2 days

d. 1 week

9.] Which of the following is the most important goal of treating chronic viral hepatitis – C infection ?

a. Normalize ALT and AST

b. Improve symptoms

c. Reverse cirrhosis

d. Eliminate the HCV RNA from serum

10.] What specific treatment do you recommend for chronic hepatitis – C infection for TAS ?

a. Interferon – α + ribavirin

b. Lamivudine

c. None; he is likely to respond to interferon – α

d. None; the risk of adverse effect of interferon – α is too great in TAS

SOLUTIONS :-

1.] (b) liver

2.] (a)

3.] (d) most people do not experience symptoms

4.] (a) scarring of the liver

5.] (b)

6.] (d) 3000 amino acids

7.] (a) single stranded, enveloped, having diameter of 30 – 60nm

8.] (b) 20 – 90 days

9.] (d) eliminate the HCV RNA from serum

10.] (a) interferon – α + ribavirin

 

For More Standard and Quality Question Bank you can Join Our Test Series Programme for GPAT, NIPER JEE, Pharmacist Recruitment Exam, Drug Inspector Recruitment Exams, PhD Entrance Exam for Pharmacy

Participate in Online FREE  GPAT  TEST: CLICK HERE

  Participate in Online FREE  Pharmacist  TEST: CLICK HERE 

Participate in Online FREE  Drug Inspector  TEST: CLICK HERE 

 

REFERENCES :-

1.] Textbook Of Pathology By Harsh Mohan; 7th edition; Page no. 593 – 594.

2.] Robbin’s Basic Pathology; 5th edition; Page no. 846 – 848.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

19 + three =

×
Free Video Lectures of Pharmacy Exams
Apply now
M.Pharm Non GPAT Admission 2023-24
Apply now

Developed By Connect Globes