Difference between revisions of "Hepatitis, Chronic"

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{{unfinished}}
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==Introduction==
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'''Chronic hepatitis''' is an inflammatory-necrotising disease of at least 6 months duration.  It is characterised by hepatocellular [[Adaptive Immunity to Viruses|apoptosis]] or [[Necrosis - Pathology|necrosis]], a variable mononuclear or mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate, [[Liver Regeneration|regeneration]] and [[Liver Fibrosis|fibrosis]] (1).  It predominantly consists of lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammatory infiltration, and the disease process typically involves a slowly progressive inflammation which leads to fibrosis and possibly cirrhosis.
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{{dog}}
 
  
 
==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
 
*Common in dogs, especially young to middle-aged dogs.
 
*Common in dogs, especially young to middle-aged dogs.
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*Mixed and purebred dogs are affected but there is a familial predisposition in  
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*Mixed and purebred dogs are affected but there is a familial predisposition in the following breeds:
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Working Group|Dobermann pinscher]]
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<gallery>
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Terrier Group|Bedlington Terrier]]
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Image:Dobermann.jpg|'''Dobermann'''<p>John Adams (2007) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Gundog Group|Cocker Spaniel]]
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Image:Bedlington.jpg|'''Bedlington Terrier'''<p> Pleple2000 (2006) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Utility Group|Dalmatian]]
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Image:Cocker_spaniel.jpg‎|'''Cocker Spaniel'''<p> Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Terrier Group|Skye Terrier]]
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Image:Dalmatian.jpg|'''Dalmatian'''<p> Miroslav Cacik (2006) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Utility Group|Poodle]]
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Image:Skye_terrier.jpg|'''Skye Terrier'''<p> Pleple2000 (2007) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Gundog Group|Labrador Retriever]]
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Image:Standard_poodle.jpg|'''Standard Poodle''' <p> John Leslie (2007) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #German Shepherd Dog
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Image:labrador.jpg|'''Labrador Retriever'''<p> Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Scottish Terrier
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Image:GermanShep.jpg|'''German Shepherd (Alsatian)'''<p> Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons
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**[[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals #Beagle
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Image:Scottish_terrier.jpg|'''Scottish Terrier'''<p> Svencb (2003) WikiMedia Commons
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Image:Beagle.jpg|'''Beagle'''<p> sannse (2003) WikiMedia Commons
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==Description==
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</gallery>
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Chronic hepatitis is an inflammatory-necrotising disease of at least 6 months duration.  It is characterised by hepatocellular apoptosis or necrosis, a variable mononuclear or mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate, regeneration and fibrosis (1).  It predominantly consists of lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammatory infiltration. 
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==Aetiology==
−
 
 
 
A number of aetiologies include:
 
A number of aetiologies include:
 
*Familial predisposition
 
*Familial predisposition
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**This may be a cause or consequence of chronic hepatitis.  Copper is normally excreted in bile, therefore it can occur with any cholestatic hepatobiliary disorder.
 
**This may be a cause or consequence of chronic hepatitis.  Copper is normally excreted in bile, therefore it can occur with any cholestatic hepatobiliary disorder.
 
*Chronic drug therapy
 
*Chronic drug therapy
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*Infectious, for example infectious canine hepatitis-
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*Infectious, for example [[Infectious Canine Hepatitis|infectious canine hepatitis]]
 
*Autoimmune or steroid responsive disorder
 
*Autoimmune or steroid responsive disorder
  
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==Diagnosis==
 
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
These include:
 
These include:
 
*anorexia, lethargy and depression
 
*anorexia, lethargy and depression
 
*weight loss
 
*weight loss
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*vomiting and diarrhoea
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*[[Vomiting|vomiting]] and [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]
 
*polyuria and polydipsia
 
*polyuria and polydipsia
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*ascites - most consistent in dogs with cirrhosis
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*ascites - most consistent in dogs with [[Cirrhosis|cirrhosis]]
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*and rarely icterus, seizures, fever and bleeding diathesis
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*and rarely [[Icterus|icterus]], seizures, fever and bleeding diathesis
  
 
===Laboratory tests===
 
===Laboratory tests===
−
 
+
Haematology:
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====Haematology====
 
 
*Mild non-regenerative anaemia and microcytosis
 
*Mild non-regenerative anaemia and microcytosis
  
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====Biochemistry====
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Biochemistry:
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*Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).  However these may not be increased if end-stage cirrhosis is reached.
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*Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).  However these may not be increased if end-stage [[Cirrhosis|cirrhosis]] is reached.
 
*Hyperbilirubinaemia
 
*Hyperbilirubinaemia
 
*Hypoalbuminaemia
 
*Hypoalbuminaemia
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*Increased bile acids
 
*Increased bile acids
 
*Abnormal ammonia tolerance test
 
*Abnormal ammonia tolerance test
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*Increased prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) indicates severe liver dysfunction or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
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*Increased prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) indicates severe liver dysfunction or [[Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation|disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)]]
  
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===Imaging===
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==Imaging==
 
Abdominal radiographs will only reveal microhepatica or ascites when advanced stages of disease are reached.
 
Abdominal radiographs will only reveal microhepatica or ascites when advanced stages of disease are reached.
  
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Ultrasonographically, liver may be normal or non specific changes in echogenecity may be seen in early stages of the disease.  In cases of cirrhosis, microhepatica, irregularity in hepatic margin, focal lesions corresponding to regenerative nodules, hyperechogenicity of liver parenchyma associated with increased fibrous tissue and ascites may be seen.
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Ultrasonographically, liver may be normal or non specific changes in echogenecity may be seen in early stages of the disease.  In cases of [[Cirrhosis|cirrhosis]], microhepatica, irregularity in hepatic margin, focal lesions corresponding to regenerative nodules, hyperechogenicity of liver parenchyma associated with increased fibrous tissue and ascites may be seen.
  
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===Histopathology===
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==Histopathology==
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This is required for definitive diagnosis and to differentiate chronic hepatitis from other hepatopathies.  Chronic hepatitis is characterised by moderate to severe lymphoplasmacellular inflammation and necrosis of the hepatocytes adjacent to the portal tracts.
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This is required for definitive diagnosis and to differentiate chronic hepatitis from other hepatopathies.  Chronic hepatitis is characterised by moderate to severe lymphoplasmacellular [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]] and [[Liver Necrosis|necrosis]] of the hepatocytes adjacent to the portal tracts.
  
 
==Treatment==
 
==Treatment==
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*Glucocorticoids at 1-2 mg/kg/day PO
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*[[Steroids|Glucocorticoids]]
 
**Taper down with improved clinical signs and normal liver enzymes values.
 
**Taper down with improved clinical signs and normal liver enzymes values.
 
**This is not indicated for chronic hepatitis caused by drug therapy, primary copper accumulation or infectious agents.
 
**This is not indicated for chronic hepatitis caused by drug therapy, primary copper accumulation or infectious agents.
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==Prognosis==
 
==Prognosis==
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Response to treatment is variable.  Poor prognosis for dogs with fibrosis and cirrhosis.
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Response to treatment is variable.  Dogs with [[Liver Fibrosis|fibrosis]] and [[Cirrhosis |cirrhosis]] carry a poorer prognosis.
 +
 
 +
{{Learning
 +
|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/felis/Content/Disease/dis01088.asp Liver: chronic disease in feline]<br>[https://www.vetstream.com/canis/Content/Disease/dis01089.asp Chronic heptatitis in canines]
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}}
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==References==
 
==References==
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*Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2''' (Fifth Edition) ''W.B. Saunders Company''.
 
*Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2''' (Fifth Edition) ''W.B. Saunders Company''.
 
*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.
 
*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.
 +
 +
[[Category:Liver_-_Inflammatory_Pathology]]
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[[Category:Liver Diseases - Dog]][[Category:To Do - Clinical]]

Latest revision as of 11:09, 11 April 2017

Introduction

Chronic hepatitis is an inflammatory-necrotising disease of at least 6 months duration. It is characterised by hepatocellular apoptosis or necrosis, a variable mononuclear or mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate, regeneration and fibrosis (1). It predominantly consists of lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammatory infiltration, and the disease process typically involves a slowly progressive inflammation which leads to fibrosis and possibly cirrhosis.

Signalment

  • Common in dogs, especially young to middle-aged dogs.
  • Mixed and purebred dogs are affected but there is a familial predisposition in the following breeds:
  • Dobermann

    John Adams (2007) WikiMedia Commons

  • Bedlington Terrier

    Pleple2000 (2006) WikiMedia Commons

  • Cocker Spaniel

    Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons

  • Dalmatian

    Miroslav Cacik (2006) WikiMedia Commons

  • Skye Terrier

    Pleple2000 (2007) WikiMedia Commons

  • Standard Poodle

    John Leslie (2007) WikiMedia Commons

  • Labrador Retriever

    Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons

  • German Shepherd (Alsatian)

    Ellen Levy Finch (2004) WikiMedia Commons

  • Scottish Terrier

    Svencb (2003) WikiMedia Commons

  • Beagle

    sannse (2003) WikiMedia Commons

Aetiology

A number of aetiologies include:

  • Familial predisposition
  • Copper accumulation (copper storage disease)
    • This may be a cause or consequence of chronic hepatitis. Copper is normally excreted in bile, therefore it can occur with any cholestatic hepatobiliary disorder.
  • Chronic drug therapy
  • Infectious, for example infectious canine hepatitis
  • Autoimmune or steroid responsive disorder

Clinical Signs

These include:

  • anorexia, lethargy and depression
  • weight loss
  • vomiting and diarrhoea
  • polyuria and polydipsia
  • ascites - most consistent in dogs with cirrhosis
  • and rarely icterus, seizures, fever and bleeding diathesis

Laboratory tests

Haematology:

  • Mild non-regenerative anaemia and microcytosis

Biochemistry:

  • Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However these may not be increased if end-stage cirrhosis is reached.
  • Hyperbilirubinaemia
  • Hypoalbuminaemia
  • Hyperglobulinaemia
  • Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
  • Hypoglycaemia

Further tests

  • Increased bile acids
  • Abnormal ammonia tolerance test
  • Increased prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) indicates severe liver dysfunction or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Imaging

Abdominal radiographs will only reveal microhepatica or ascites when advanced stages of disease are reached.

Ultrasonographically, liver may be normal or non specific changes in echogenecity may be seen in early stages of the disease. In cases of cirrhosis, microhepatica, irregularity in hepatic margin, focal lesions corresponding to regenerative nodules, hyperechogenicity of liver parenchyma associated with increased fibrous tissue and ascites may be seen.

Histopathology

This is required for definitive diagnosis and to differentiate chronic hepatitis from other hepatopathies. Chronic hepatitis is characterised by moderate to severe lymphoplasmacellular inflammation and necrosis of the hepatocytes adjacent to the portal tracts.

Treatment

  • Glucocorticoids
    • Taper down with improved clinical signs and normal liver enzymes values.
    • This is not indicated for chronic hepatitis caused by drug therapy, primary copper accumulation or infectious agents.
    • Response to treatment should be followed up by liver biopsy 3-6 months later as glucocorticoid causes steroid induced ALP
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid at 15mg/kg PO SID
    • It is a synthetic hydrophilic bile acid that has hepatoprotective (anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects) properties and choleretic effect. It expands the bile acid pool and displaces potentially hepatotoxic hydrophobic bile acids that accumulate in cholestasis.
  • Vitamin E
    • An antioxidant to scavenge free radicals which may contribute to oxidative hepatocellular injury.
  • Copper chelation if copper exceeds 2000ppm
    • Penicillamine
    • Zinc

Prognosis

Response to treatment is variable. Dogs with fibrosis and cirrhosis carry a poorer prognosis.


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References

  • (1) Van den Ingh, TSGAM et. al. (2006). Morphological classification of parenchymal disorders of the canine and feline liver. In Rothuizen J et. al., editors: WSAVA standards for clinical and histological diagnosis of canine and feline liver disease, Oxford, England, Saunders.
  • Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 (Fifth Edition) W.B. Saunders Company.
  • Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier.
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