Which one of the following statements about hepatitis B is true?

  1. The risk of fulminant hepatitis with Hepatitis B virus is high, almost 40%
  2. The risk of persistent hepatitis viremia is about 25% in immunocompetent and 50% in immunocompromised
  3. Chronic hepatitis B infection confers a substantial risk of hepatocellular carcinoma up to 40%
  4. Hepatitis B is an RNA virus

Answer: The answer is (c). The risk of fulminant hepatitis with Hepatitis B is quite rare and is about 1%. The cases of fulminant hepatitis have about 60% mortality. Persistent Hepatitis B occurs in 1-2% of immunocompetent hosts and about 5% in the immunocompromised. Hepatitis B is a DNA virus. Chronic Hepatitis B is associated with a substantial risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

 

Which one of the following statements about Hepatitis vaccination is false?

  1. The vaccines are recombinant human vaccines
  2. Universal vaccination for infants and children is recommended
  3. Those who do not seroconvert after complete vaccination can be protected by 3 additional doses of vaccine
  4. For checking serological status, the serum HBV titers have to be assayed.

Answer: The answer is (d). Hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant human vaccine. Universal vaccination is recommended for children. The non-responders to hepatitis B vaccine can be protected by additional three doses of the vaccine. For checking the serological status, the hepatitis B surface antigen needs to be assayed.