In: Nursing
The following lab results were found in a patient with mild weight loss and nausea and vomiting, who later developed jaundice and an enlarged liver.
total serum bilirubin |
elevated |
AST |
markedly elevated |
ALT |
moderately elevated |
anti-HAV IgG |
positive |
anti-HAV IgM |
negative |
HBsAg |
positive |
anti-HBs |
negative |
HBcAb Ig |
positive |
HBcAb IgG |
negative |
Questions:
1. Most likely diagnosis
Hepatitis B :
It is an acute form of Hepatitis , transmitted by blood , body fluids and sexual contact and is a potentially fatal liver infection caused by Hepatitis B Virus . The symptoms may vary from one person to another, and the common symptoms are yellowish discoloration of the eyes and dark urine, abdominal pain , nausea , vomiting etc.
2. Prognosis:
There is no cure for the Hepatitis B Virus , once it is contracted. But the patient can recover fully from the symptoms through proper treatment . Children and infants are in risk to develop chronic hepatitis infection.
3. Additional markers :
Laboratory tests revealed that HBs Ag ( Hepatitis surface Antigen) is positive , that indicates the present infection with Hepatis B Virus.
Additional markers:
* HBe Ag - Hepatitis B e Antigen, presence indicates viral replication and therefore the risk of transmission.
* HBcAg -Hepatitis B core antigen presence indicates the positive result for Hepatitis B infection.
* HBV DNA level : indicates the liver disease activity.