Hepatitis B
Acute-Of short and sharp course; not chronic (new infection).
ALT (alanine aminotransferase)-An enzyme normally produced by the liver; blood levels may increase in cases of liver damage; formerly known as SGPT.
Anti-HAV-Antibody to hepatitis A virus.
Anti-HAV IgM-M class immunoglobulin antibody to hepatitis A virus.
Anti-HBc-Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen.
Anti-HBc IgM-M class immunoglobulin antibody to hepatitis B core antigen.
Anti-HBe-Antibody to hepatitis B e antigen.
Anti-HBs-Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.
Antibody (Ab)-A Y-shaped protein molecule (immunoglobulin) in serum or body fluid that either neutralizes an antigen or tags it for attack by other cells or chemicals; acts by uniting with and firmly binding to an antigen. The prefix anti-followed by initials of a virus, refers to a specific antibody against the virus.
Antigen (Ag)-A substance capable of causing the body to produce specific antibodies; any substance that stimulates lymphocytes (white blood cells) to initiate an immune response.
Assay-A test to determine the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more components of a substance.
Asymptomatic-Without overt symptoms.
Calicivirus-A family of small RNA viruses, HEV is a member of thecalicivirus family.
Chronic hepatitis-A condition in which liver inflammation persists for morethan six months.
Chronic infection-An individual with HBsAg in the serum for periods longerthan six months is infectious, and may or may not exhibit symptoms of hepatitis; also applies to a large number of individuals with HCV infection.
Chronicity-The quality of being chronic or persisting over a long period of time.
Cirrhosis-Irreversible scarring of the liver that may occur with chronic hepatitis.
Coinfection-A condition whereby an uninfected individual becomes infectedwith two or more different infectious agents.
Core-The central part of the hepatitis B virus, as well as other viruses.
Delta agent-Previously used name to identify a unique RNA virus that causes acute or chronic hepatitis; requires hepatitis B virus for replication and only infectspatients who are HBsAg positive; comprised of delta antigen core and hepatitis B surface antigen coat; today referred to as hepatitis D virus (HDV).
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)-The coded genetic material in the nucleus of most cells that controls heredity; automatically controls the formation of RNA, which spreads throughout the cell and controls the formation of specific proteins. The genome of HBV is DNA.
DNA polymerase-An enzyme that catalyzes DNA synthesis; present in the core hepatitis B virus.
Endemic-Present in a community at all times.
Enteric-Pertaining to the intestines.
Enteric route-The spread of organisms via the fecal/oral cycle of infection.
Enterovirus-One of a group of similar viruses infecting the gastrointestinaltract and discharged in the feces.
Epidemiology-The study of the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.
Flavivirus-A family of small RNA viruses, formerly referred to as the arboviruses.HCV is a member of the flavivirus family.
Fulminant hepatitis-The most severe form of hepatitis; may lead to acute liver failure and death.
Genome-The complete set of genetic information.
HAV Ag-Hepatitis A virus antigen.
HAV-Hepatitis A virus.
HBcAg-Hepatitis B core antigen.
H-BIG-Hepatitis B immune globulin (specific to hepatitis B virus, see immune globulin).
HBsAg-Hepatitis B surface antigen.
HBV-Hepatitis B virus.
HCV-Hepatitis C virus.
HDV-Hepatitis D virus.
HEV-Hepatitis E virus.
Haemophilia-A hereditary disorder in which the blood clots very slowly due to adeficiency of one of the coagulation factors; bleeding in haemophilia may be treated by transfusions of plasma.
Hepadnavirus-One of a group of DNA viruses; HBV is a member of this group of viruses.
Hepatitis-Inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis A-Viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus; formerly known as infectious hepatitis.
Hepatitis B-Viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis B virus; formerly knownas serum hepatitis.
Hepatitis C-Viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis D-Viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis D virus.
Hepatitis E-Viral epatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus.
Hepatocellular carcinoma-Cancer of the liver cells.
IgG-A form of immunoglobulin that occurs late in an infectious process.
IgM-A form of immunoglobulin that occurs early in an infectious process.
Immune-A state of protection afforded against infection as the result of thepresence of antibodies in the body's circulatory system.
Immune globulin-A sterile solution of water-soluble proteins that contains thoseantibodies normally present in adult human blood; used as a passive immunizing agent against various viruses such as HAV. Other names include immune serum globulin(ISG) and gamma globulin.
Incidence-The number of new episodes of illness arising in a population over an estimated period.
Incubation period-The interval of time between the moment of entrance of the infecting organism into the body and the first appearance of symptoms of the disease.
Infectious hepatitis-An old term for hepatitis A.
Insidious-Stealthy; denotes a disease that progresses with few or no symptoms to indicate its presence or its gravity.
Interferon-A substance that is produced by cells infected with a virus, which has the ability to inhibit viral growth.
Jaundice-A syndrome characterized by increased levels and deposits of bile pigment in the skin, giving the individual a yellowish skin color; usually caused by liver changes.
Malaise-A general feeling of being unwell; feeling may be accompanied byidentifiable physical discomfort and may indicate the presence of disease.
Marker-An antigen or antibody used to indicate the status of disease or recovery.
Mediate-Act indirectly to affect a result.
Morbidity-The state of being diseased.
Myalgia-Pain in the muscles.
NANB (non-A non-B) hepatitis-Viral hepatitis caused by viruses other thanA or B.
Parenteral-Used to refer to entering the body subcutaneously (under the skin), intramuscularly (into a muscle), or intravenously (into a blood vessel); may refer toany other means whereby the organism reaches the bloodstream directly.
Percutaneous-Through the skin.
Permucosal-Through the mucous membranes.
Picornavirus-A virus family consisting of small RNA viruses, HAV belongs to the picornavirus family.
Prevalence (of a disease)-The percentage of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time.
Prophylaxis-The prevention of disease.
Replication-Production of a copy or image of itself; encompasses the steps that a virus goes through to reproduce (the term "duplication" is used for cells that split in two to reproduce themselves).
RNA (ribonucleic acid)-A substance formed in the cell nucleus, under the control of DNA; transfers genetic code into the cell for the synthesis of proteins.
Sequela-An illness or condition that follows as a consequence of another disease (plural form: sequelae).
Seroconversion-An immune response that is characterized by a conversion from the absence of a specific antibody to the presence of that specific antibody in a patient or the disappearance of an antigen followed by the appearance of its corresponding antibody.
Serological-Pertaining to antigen-antibody reactions in vitro.
Seronegativity-Blood serum showing a negative result to a specific test.
Seropositivity-Blood serum showing a positive result to a specific test.
Serum hepatitis-Old term for hepatitis B.
Superinfection-A condition whereby an already infected individual becomes infected with a virus different from the original infecting agent.
Subclinical-Without clinical manifestations or symptoms.
Syndrome-A set or collection of symptoms and signs that occur together.
Viral load-The amount or concentration of virus in the circulation.
Virology-The study of viruses.
Virus-A collection of proteins and nucleic acids capable of infecting other cells; viruses can multiply only within the cells that they are infecting.
References
- Glossary replicated from the Abbott Diagnostics Educational Services Hepatitis Learning Guide