A 29-year-old male is hospitalized with low-grade fever and high serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). His serum is positive for HBsAg. You should inform the patient that the most likely outcome for his infection would be:

Question

A 29-year-old male is hospitalized with low-grade fever and high serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).  His serum is positive for HBsAg.  You should inform the patient that the most likely outcome for his infection would be:

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B virus infection can produce one of three syndromes: acute hepatitis with complete resolution; chronic hepatitis (with or without cirrhosis and the attendant increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma); or fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis. By far the most common outcome in HBV-infected adults (> 95%) is acute hepatitis with mild or subclinical symptoms that eventually completely resolve. (Choice B) Fulminant hepatitis occurs in < 1% of patients who develop acute hepatitis. (Choice C) Only 4-5% of patients with hepatitis B virus infection will go on to develop chronic hepatitis. Of those, 50-80% will remain stable with no evidence of cirrhosis. (Choice D) Approximately 20-50% of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection will also eventually develop cirrhosis. (Choice E) Hepatocellular carcinoma arises in 10% of patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Educational Objective: The most common outcome in HBV-infected adults (> 95%) is acute hepatitis with mild or subclinical symptoms that eventually completely resolve.

A 29-Year-Old Male Is Hospitalized with Low-Grade Fever and High