Question 49:
Which of the following is the main cause of liver failure?
Viral hepatitis is the main cause of liver failure among the given options, making (A) the correct answer. It leads to both acute and chronic liver damage worldwide.
Option Explanations
(A) Viral hepatitis: Correct primary cause. Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E) inflame liver cells, causing necrosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and failure. Globally, HBV/HCV drive most cases; acute failure often from HAV/HEV. Accounts for ~40-50% of acute liver failure (ALF) in developing regions.
(B) Deletion of chromosome 5p: Incorrect. This causes Cri du Chat syndrome (cat-like cry, intellectual disability, microcephaly)—a genetic disorder unrelated to liver failure. No hepatic involvement.
(C) Psychosomatic: Incorrect. Refers to physical symptoms from psychological stress (e.g., somatization). May indirectly worsen liver issues via stress/alcohol, but not a direct/main cause of failure.
(D) Low Mg2+ concentration: Incorrect. Hypomagnesemia affects neuromuscular/cardiac function; liver impacts are secondary (e.g., poor nutrition in alcoholics), not primary failure cause.
Main cause of liver failure is viral hepatitis, infecting billions and progressing to cirrhosis/failure if untreated. HBV/HCV cause chronic damage; HAV/HEV trigger acute failure, especially in low-income areas.
Viral Hepatitis Mechanisms
Viruses replicate in hepatocytes, provoking immune destruction. HBV integrates DNA; HCV promotes steatosis/fibrosis. Leads to ALF (rapid encephalopathy/coagulopathy) or end-stage cirrhosis. Drug toxicity (e.g., acetaminophen) rivals in West, but viruses dominate globally.
Debunking Other Causes
Chromosome 5p deletion ties to congenital syndromes, not liver. Psychosomatic lacks organ specificity. Low Mg2+ is metabolic, not etiological. Prevention: Vaccination (HAV/HBV), antivirals (HCV cure >95%).
GATE/NEET Exam Tips
PYQs test etiology rankings—viral tops lists. Recall: ALF definition (INR ≥1.5 + encephalopathy <26 weeks). Mnemonics: “HAV PE” viruses for acute failure.
