Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and can be caused by viral infections, alcohol, medications, toxins, or autoimmune conditions. In India, viral hepatitis — particularly Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C — remains a significant public health burden. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted via contaminated food and water (fecal-oral route), typically cause acute self-limiting illness, and rarely lead to fulminant hepatic failure. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted via blood, unsterile medical equipment, or sexual contact, and are major causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chronic Hepatitis B affects over 40 million people in India and is treated with antiviral agents (tenofovir or entecavir) that suppress viral replication, reduce liver inflammation, and lower the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C has been revolutionised by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, which achieves cure rates exceeding 95% with 8–12 weeks of oral treatment. Autoimmune hepatitis, caused by the immune system attacking liver cells, requires lifelong immunosuppression with prednisolone and azathioprine. All chronic hepatitis forms — if untreated — can progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.

When chronic viral or autoimmune hepatitis results in end-stage liver disease with decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplantation becomes necessary and can be curative. Post-transplant antiviral therapy in hepatitis B patients, combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), achieves excellent long-term outcomes with minimal recurrence. Our surgeons at Ahmedabad Liver Surgeons have extensive experience in transplanting patients with all forms of viral and autoimmune hepatitis, ensuring comprehensive pre- and post-transplant virological management.