Final answer:
Diagnosis of hepatitis looks at liver function tests where alcoholic hepatitis typically shows increased GGT levels due to alcohol's toxic effects on the liver, while acute viral hepatitis shows a high increase in ALT due to liver cell damage from infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diagnosis of hepatitis typically includes looking at blood work to check liver function. When the liver is compromised, in cases such as hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease, there's an increase in certain liver enzymes and bilirubin levels. Particularly, alcohol abuse can cause elevated levels of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), which is associated with alcoholic hepatitis. On the other hand, acute viral hepatitis is characterized by a significant rise in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), indicative of liver cell damage.
The differentiation in lab values for alcoholic versus acute viral hepatitis is seen in the pattern of liver enzyme elevation. GGT is more specific to alcohol-related liver damage, while ALT tends to be higher in cases of acute viral infections. In alcoholic hepatitis, the liver is unable to effectively handle alcohol, leading to fat buildup, inflammation, and elevated enzyme levels. Acute viral hepatitis, caused by one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, or E), results in a dramatic increase in ALT levels, often much higher than seen in alcohol-related liver issues.