q5 - guest1

[ArchivalUser]

Which of the following features is characteristic of chronic hepatitis due to HBV?
A.
It is more likely to occur if infection occurs in adults.
B.
Seroconversion from HBeAg positive to HBeAg negative after 4 months of interferon- therapy is 40%

C.
Long-term therapy with steroids is also effective
D.
The likelihood of responding to interferon is greater in patients with high levels of HBV DNA

[ArchivalUser]

D?

[ArchivalUser]

D. The likelihood of responding to interferon is greater in patients with high levels of HBV DNA

[ArchivalUser]

dd

[ArchivalUser]

The answer is: A

The likelihood of chronicity after acute HBV infection varies as a function of age. Infection at birth is associated with a 90% chance of chronic infection; infection in young adulthood in immunocompetent persons is associated with an approximately 1% risk of chronicity. The likelihood of responding to interferon is greater in patients with moderate to low levels of HBV DNA and in patients with substantial elevations of aminotransferase activity. In patients with HBV, long-term therapy with glucocorticoids is ineffective and detrimental.