Hepatitis B/C — MCQs

A 33-year-old female comes to her primary care physician with complaints of fatigue and nausea. She has also noticed that her skin tone is darker than it used to be. On exam, the physician notes that the woman appears to be jaundiced and obtains liver enzymes which demonstrate an elevated AST and ALT. Further testing subsequently confirms the diagnosis of hepatitis B (HBV). The woman is extremely concerned about transmitting this disease to her loved ones and ask how HBV is transmitted. By which of the following routes can HBV be spread? (I) blood, (II) sexual contact, (III) maternal-fetal, and/or (IV) breast milk?

A 68-year-old man, with a recent ischemic stroke due to a right middle cerebral artery thromboembolism, presents for evaluation. In addition to the abnormal neurologic findings, there are significant hepatosplenomegaly and multiple lymphadenopathies. Laboratory findings are significant for the following: Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL Leukocyte count 13,600/mm³ Platelet count 95,000/mm³ Urinalysis reveals the presence of Bence-Jones proteins. Bone marrow biopsy shows numerous small lymphocytes mixed with plasmacytoid dendritic cells and plasma cells, increased numbers of mast cells, and the presence of Russell bodies and Dutcher bodies in plasma cells. A diagnosis of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is confirmed after further laboratory evaluation. Which of the following infectious agents would most likely be found in this patient, as well?

A 35-year-old man with no known past medical history presents to his physician because he is applying for a job as a healthcare worker, which requires screening for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The patient states that he is in good health and denies any symptoms. His vital signs and physical exam are unremarkable. Labs are drawn, and the patient's HBV serology shows the following: HBsAg: positive anti-HBsAg antibody: negative anti-HBcAg IgM: negative anti-HBcAg IgG: positive HBeAg: negative anti-HBeAg antibody: positive Which of the following best describes this patient's results?

A 3255-g (7-lb) female newborn is delivered at term. Pregnancy and delivery were uncomplicated. On the day of her birth, she is given a routine childhood vaccine that contains a noninfectious glycoprotein. This vaccine will most likely help prevent infection by which of the following pathogens?

A 39-year-old male presents to the emergency department with fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain. The patient is a known intravenous drug-user. Serologic testing reveals an ALT of 1040 units/L, AST of 810 units/L, and titer evidence of infection with an enveloped, negative sense, single-stranded, closed circular RNA virus. Which of the following infections must also be present in this patient for him to develop his current disease?

A 26-year-old woman who is a medical student is undergoing evaluation after sticking herself with a needle while drawing blood from a patient. The patient’s medical history is unknown. A blood sample from the medical student is drawn and processed, and the results are presented below: Anti-HAV IgM negative Anti-HAV IgG positive HBsAg negative HBeAg negative Anti-HBs negative Anti-HBc IgG negative Anti-HBc IgM negative Anti-HBe negative Anti-HCV negative What is true about the student’s laboratory findings?

A 20-year-old man who is a biology major presents to his physician for a simple check-up. He is informed that he hasn't received a hepatitis B vaccine. When the first injection is applied, the medical professional informs him that he will need to come back 2 more times on assigned days, since the vaccine is given in 3 doses. Which of the following antibodies is produced first in the college student as a result of the first vaccination?

A 30-year-old woman presents to the clinic because of fever, joint pain, and a rash on her lower extremities. She admits to intravenous drug use. Physical examination reveals palpable petechiae and purpura on her lower extremities. Laboratory results reveal a negative antinuclear antibody, positive rheumatoid factor, and positive serum cryoglobulins. Which of the following underlying conditions in this patient is responsible for these findings?

A 22-year-old man is evaluated for abdominal discomfort he has had for the past 6 days and fever for the past 2 weeks. He also notes that his right upper abdomen is bothering him. He states that he does not drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. His medical history is insignificant and family history is negative for any liver disease. On physical examination, his temperature is 38.0°C (100.4°F), blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, pulse rate is 102/min, and respiratory rate is 22/min. He is alert and oriented. Scleral icterus and hepatomegaly are noted. Laboratory results are as follows: Anti-hepatitis A IgM positive Anti-hepatitis A IgG negative Hepatitis B surface Ag negative Hepatitis B surface AB negative Alanine aminotransferase 1544 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase 1200 U/L Which of the following transcription factors is required for the B cells to differentiate into plasma cells in this patient?

An investigator is studying the rate of multiplication of hepatitis C virus in hepatocytes. The viral genomic material is isolated, enzymatically cleaved into smaller fragments and then separated on a formaldehyde agarose gel membrane. Targeted probes are then applied to the gel and visualized under x-ray. Which of the following is the most likely structure being identified by this test?