Diagnostic advances in viral hepatitis: the discovery of hepatitis C virus and genetic heterogeneity of hepatitis B virus.
The discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its serological markers represents a new milestone in the history of viral hepatitis and allows a specific diagnosis of viral hepatitis in more than 90 percent of cases. In addition, testing for anti-HCV plays a crucial role in prevention of post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. The multifaceted spectrum of liver disease associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, spanning from a healthy carrier state to severe forms of chronic hepatitis, was traditionally attributed to variability of host's antiviral immune response. The finding that a peculiar natural course and response to interferon of chronic hepatitis B is associated with the infection of a defective HBV unable to secrete the "e" antigen (HBeAg-minus) emphasizes the clinical implications of the genetic heterogeneity of hepatitis viruses.
Bonino
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Divisione di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale S. Giovanni Battista Molinette, Torino.
Demartini
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A
Brunetto
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MR
D015415:Biomarkers; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D015415:Biomarkers; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens