Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
10:40
Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model
Published on: August 4, 2012
13.1K
Acute hepatitis C from heterosexual transmission
Cátia Dias1, Sara Pipa1, Margarida Mota1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Portugal.
Idcases
|September 8, 2018
Summary
Diagnosing acute hepatitis C (HCV) is challenging due to asymptomatic cases. This case highlights heterosexual transmission and severe liver injury, emphasizing the need for broader diagnostic considerations.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acute hepatitis C (HCV) diagnosis is infrequent, often identified during chronic phases via serology.
- HCV transmission primarily occurs percutaneously; sexual transmission is more common in men who have sex with men.
- Typical acute HCV presentations involve elevated ALT over AST, rarely with hepatic insufficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of acute hepatitis C presenting with severe hepatic insufficiency.
- To investigate an unusual clinical presentation initially mimicking toxic hepatitis.
- To identify the transmission route in a patient with acute HCV infection.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case presentation and diagnostic workup.
- Serological testing for hepatotropic viruses.
- Analysis of patient history regarding substance use and potential exposure.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms of toxic acute hepatitis and hepatic insufficiency.
- Initial serology for common hepatotropic viruses was negative.
- Diagnostic investigation confirmed acute HCV infection with heterosexual transmission.
Conclusions:
- Acute HCV infection can manifest with severe hepatic insufficiency, mimicking other liver conditions.
- Heterosexual transmission is a possible route for HCV, particularly in specific patient populations.
- Rethinking diagnostic approaches for acute hepatitis is crucial, even with negative initial serology.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
281
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
281
01:21Hepatic Portal System
6.0K
The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is...
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is...
6.0K
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
247
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
247
01:16Design of Transmission Shafts
789
The design of a transmission shaft is governed by two primary specifications: the power it transmits and its rotational speed. These parameters guide the selection of the shaft's material and cross-sectional dimensions, ensuring that the material's maximum shearing stress remains within the elastic limit while transmitting the desired power at the given speed. The system's power is intrinsically linked to the applied torque. The torque applied to the shaft can be calculated by reconfiguring the...
789
01:23Transmission Line Design Considerations
631
Aluminum has become the material of choice for overhead transmission lines, surpassing copper due to its abundance and cost-effectiveness. The most prevalent type is the aluminum conductor, steel-reinforced (ACSR), which combines aluminum strands around a steel core. Other variants include all-aluminum conductors (AAC), all-aluminum alloy conductors (AAAC), aluminum conductor alloy-reinforced (ACAR), and aluminum-clad steel conductors. Advanced designs, such as aluminum conductors with steel...
631
01:09Transmission Shafts: Problem Solving
514
Designing a solid shaft that transmits power from a motor to a machine tool involves a series of calculations to ensure the shaft can withstand the stresses applied by bending moments and torques. First, calculate the torque exerted on the gear, considering the power transmitted by the shaft and its rotational speed. Following this, compute the tangential forces acting on the gears, which directly relate to the torque and the gear radius.
Next, use bending moment diagrams for the shaft to...
Next, use bending moment diagrams for the shaft to...
514