title: Non-A, non-B hepatitis: a contemporary assessment.
abstract: The current status of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis is reviewed with respect to: (i) epidemiology and incidence of posttransfusion and sporadic NANB hepatitis; (ii) experimental transmission of NANB hepatitis; (iii) serologic tests and the evidence for virus-like NANB agents; (iv) clinical features of NANB hepatitis as compared to hepatitis B; (v) indication and impact of therapeutic and preventive measures against NANB hepatitis. Without specific markers for NANB infection, non-A, non-B hepatitis continues to be a diagnosis by exclusion of infection with hepatitis A, hepatitis B or other viruses. Recent observations suggest that NANB hepatitis may in fact be caused by a group of viruses immunologically different from but genetically similar to the hepatitis B virus.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001782:Blood Donors; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens