Case Studies: The Liver, Biliary System and Pancreas: Case 2: Viral Hepatitis

A 27-year old man.

    Chief complaints:
    • Fatigue
    • Weakness
    • Flu-like symptoms, mild fever
    • Dark urine
    • Yellow discoloration of the sclera.
    Clinical findings:
    • Slight enlargement and tenderness of the liver.
    • Jaundice.
    Laboratory findings:
    • Elevated levels of serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT.
    • Hepatitis S antigen positive.
    Clinical course:
    • Death due to hepatic encephalopathy.

Liver at autopsy; weight 900 grams.

Cross-section of the liver.

Histologic features of viral hepatitis. Note the ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes.

Another image illustrating histologic features of viral hepatitis. What does the arrow show?

Severe acute hepatitis.

Chronic hepatitis, mild.

Electron microscopy of hepatitis B.

Cirrhosis.

Question for Class Discussion

  • How are hepatitis A, B, and C transmitted?

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