Hepatitis (liver inflammation) encompasses viral (HBV, HCV, HAV), autoimmune, alcoholic, and toxin-induced forms. In the WikiBiome framework, the gut-liver axis is central — portal blood delivers gut-derived microbial products (LPS, bacterial DNA) directly to the liver via the portal vein, making hepatic inflammation inseparable from gut microbiome status.
Key Connections
- Gut-liver axis: Gut dysbiosis → increased portal LPS → Kupffer cell activation → hepatic inflammation → fibrosis → cirrhosis.
- Virome: Altered gut virome (bacteriophage communities) in liver disease [1].
- Metal hepatotoxicity: cadmium, arsenic, lead cause direct hepatocyte damage, compounding viral hepatitis [2].
- Autoimmune hepatitis: May share molecular mimicry mechanisms with other autoimmune conditions [3].
- Male fertility: HBV/HCV affect seminal microbiome and spermatogenesis [4].
Cross-References
- cirrhosis — end-stage consequence
- endotoxemia — portal LPS as hepatic inflammatory driver
- cadmium — hepatotoxic metal
- gut kidney axis — hepatorenal syndrome