chronic active hepatitis

chronic active hepatitis (CAH),

a potentially fatal form of hepatitis complicated by portal inflammation and extending into the parenchyma. There may be progressive destruction of the liver lobule with necrosis and fibrosis leading to scarring and cirrhosis. Possible causes include viral infections, drugs, and autoimmune reactions.

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hepatitis (hep´tī´tis),

n an inflammation of the liver.

hepatitis C (Hep C, non-A, non-B hepatitis),

n a type transmitted largely by blood transfusion or percutaneous inoculation, such as with in-travenous drug users sharing needles. The disease progresses to chronic hepatitis in up to 50% of the patients acutely infected.

hepatitis, chronic active,

n a hepatitis with chronic portal inflammation with regional necrosis and fibrosis, which may progress to nodular postnecrotic cirrhosis.

hepatitis, delta (Hep D),

n a particularly virulent form caused by the delta hepatitis virus in conjunction with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is spread by contaminated needles or by direct exposure to blood or other body fluids from infected individuals. It occurs primarily in persons who have been repeatedly exposed to the HBV either through frequent blood transfusions or intravenous drug use. It may also be spread during the birthing process.

hepatitis delta virus (HDV),

n the infectious agent that causes delta hepatitis, but only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. The virus is usually superimposed on carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It is also called the
delta agent.

hepatitis E (Hep E, epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis),

n a self-limited type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that may occur after natural disasters because of fecal-contaminated water or food. There is currently no serologic test available.

hepatitis G,

n a viral infection of the stomach and intestines, transmitted via blood and coinfection with the hepatitis C virus. The duration of the incubation period and range of symptoms are unknown, and no vaccine is available.

hepatitis, homologous serum (homologous serum jaundice, serum hepatitis, syringe jaundice, type B hepatitis),

n a viral hepatitis clinically difficult to distinguish from epidemic infectious hepatitis. It is transmitted by human serum (that is, through parenteral injection, transfusions, lacerations). The incubation period is 40 to 90 days or longer. Principal manifestations are jaundice, gastrointestinal symptoms, anorexia, and malaise.

hepatitis, infectious (IH, type A hepatitis),

n a viral hepatitis that is frequently epidemic in nature and has an incubation period of 1 to 4 or even 7 weeks. It is usually transmitted by the virus in fecal matter but may be transmitted by human (transfusions, lacerations, needle punctures).

hepatitis, non-ABCDE,

n a viral infection of the stomach and intestines that is diagnosed by ruling out other forms of hepatitis. It may be transmitted orally, via injection, sexual contact, or fecal matter.

hepatitis, serum,

n See hepatitis, homologous serum.

hepatitis, viral,

n 1. hepatitis caused by one of three immunologically unrelated viruses: hepatitis A virus; hepatitis B virus; and non-A, non-B virus.
n 2. hepatitis caused by a viral infection, including that by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.

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hepatitis

inflammation of the liver which may be toxic or infectious in origin; characterized by signs due to diffuse injury to the liver. See also liver dysfunction. There are a number of etiologically specific hepatitides which are listed under their individual headings. They are avian vibrionic hepatitis, infectious canine hepatitis (see below), infectious necrotic hepatitis, duck hepatitis, turkey hepatitis, inclusion body hepatitis, mouse hepatitis, postvaccinal hepatitis, toxemic jaundice, and those caused by fasciola and fascioloides, cysticercus, and plant toxins including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, sporidesmin, aflatoxin. See also hepatosis dietetica.

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hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses

causes of hepatitis in humans and some nonhuman primates.

avian vibrionic hepatitis

a disease of domesticated poultry which has disappeared from those areas in the USA which were its sole habitat. Vibrio-like organisms were isolated from the outbreaks which occurred.

cholangiolitic hepatitis

see cholangiohepatitis.

chronic active hepatitis

a chronic inflammatory liver disease in humans, probably of several types with different causes, but with distinctive histopathological features of piecemeal necrosis, bridging fibrosis and active cirrhosis. A similar, but not identical disease of unknown etiology has been described in dogs.

copper-induced hepatitis

see bedlington terrier copper-associated hepatopathy.

duck hepatitis

see duck hepatitis.

gosling hepatitis

see goose hepatitis.

infectious canine hepatitis

an acute, highly contagious disease, occurring mainly in young dogs, caused by canine adenovirus type 1. Many dogs experience subclinical infections. Those with clinical signs show fever, depression, vomiting and abdominal pain. The course is short and in severe cases death occurs within a few days. Peracute infections occur in very young puppies. Mild infections may cause only vague signs of malaise and anorexia and many cases are not diagnosed. Dogs recovering from infection sometimes develop corneal edema ('blue eye'). A chronic hepatitis is reported as an occasional sequela. The disease can be prevented by vaccination.

mouse hepatitis

a coronavirus disease which causes heavy losses in baby mice. It is characterized by tremor, jaundice and hemoglobinuria.

mycotic hepatitis

commonly caused in cattle by extension from mycotic rumenitis due to lactic acid indigestion and damage to ruminal epithelium.

necrotic hepatitis

see infectious necrotic hepatitis.

porcine hepatitis E virus

an enteric virus of pigs related to human hepatitis E that is not known to be pathogenic.

toxipathic hepatitis

hepatitis caused by toxins, especially ingested plant toxins, e.g. some pyrrolizidine alkaloids, sporidesmin, aflatoxin.

trophopathic hepatitis

see trophopathic hepatitis.

turkey hepatitis

see turkey hepatitis.

hepatitis X

a hepatoxic disease of dogs and pigs caused by aflatoxins. See also mycotoxicosis.

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chronic active hepatitis

1. Obsolete term. See Chronic hepatitis2. Chronic viral hepatitis