Which liver disease is associated with the highest levels of transaminases?

Which liver disease is associated with the highest levels of transaminases?

• A. Hepatic cirrhosis
• B. Obstructive jaundice
• C. Hepatic cancer
• D. Alcoholic hepatitis

Answer: (C)

The highest levels of transaminases, specifically alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are typically seen in cases of acute liver injury, and alcoholic hepatitis is a prime example of this. Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption, leading to a significant rise in transaminases. In this condition, ALT and AST levels can be markedly elevated, often exceeding 1000 IU/L, especially in cases of severe liver injury. The transaminase levels are useful clinical markers for assessing the extent of liver damage and inflammation. While other liver diseases like hepatic cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, and hepatic cancer can also elevate transaminases, they do not typically reach the same levels seen in alcoholic hepatitis, particularly in acute presentations. In cirrhosis, transaminase levels may be elevated, but often not to the extent observed in acute conditions. Similarly, obstructive jaundice primarily impacts alkaline phosphatase levels more significantly than transaminases. Hepatic cancer may also present with increased transaminases, but, like cirrhosis, not to the extreme levels associated with acute alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore, the association of

The highest levels of transaminases, specifically alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are typically seen in cases of acute liver injury, and alcoholic hepatitis is a prime example of this. Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption, leading to a significant rise in transaminases.

In this condition, ALT and AST levels can be markedly elevated, often exceeding 1000 IU/L, especially in cases of severe liver injury. The transaminase levels are useful clinical markers for assessing the extent of liver damage and inflammation.

While other liver diseases like hepatic cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, and hepatic cancer can also elevate transaminases, they do not typically reach the same levels seen in alcoholic hepatitis, particularly in acute presentations. In cirrhosis, transaminase levels may be elevated, but often not to the extent observed in acute conditions. Similarly, obstructive jaundice primarily impacts alkaline phosphatase levels more significantly than transaminases. Hepatic cancer may also present with increased transaminases, but, like cirrhosis, not to the extreme levels associated with acute alcoholic hepatitis.

Therefore, the association of