Question 70:
Human acute liver failure can be due to:
All listed options can cause human acute liver failure. Since the question asks what it “can be due to” and provides single choices, all (A), (B), (C), and (D) are correct causes.
Option Analysis
Option (A) Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis A, B, and E viruses directly infect hepatocytes, causing rapid necrosis and liver failure, especially in developing countries.
Option (B) Medicine
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause in the US (nearly 50% of cases); other drugs like antibiotics trigger idiosyncratic reactions leading to fulminant failure.
Option (C) Toxins
Amanita mushrooms, industrial solvents, and herbal toxins cause dose-dependent hepatocyte death, common where sanitation limits viral spread.
Option (D) Ischemia
“Shock liver” from severe hypotension, sepsis, or heatstroke cuts blood flow, starving hepatocytes of oxygen and causing acute necrosis.
Human acute liver failure causes span viral hepatitis, medicine toxicity, toxins, and ischemia, critical for GATE Life Sciences exam prep. This guide details each trigger, from acetaminophen overdose to shock liver.
Major Causes Breakdown
| Cause | Examples | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Viral hepatitis | HAV, HBV, HEV | Leading in developing nations |
| Medicine | Acetaminophen, antibiotics | #1 in US (50% cases) |
| Toxins | Mushrooms, solvents | Sanitation-poor areas |
| Ischemia | Sepsis, shock | 10-15% cases |
Diagnosis & Management
-
Rapid coagulopathy + encephalopathy defines ALF; etiology guides transplant need.
-
N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen; antivirals for HBV.
Exam Focus
All options valid—expect “all of the above” patterns in MCQs. Memorize acetaminophen as top Western cause.
