title: Recent advances in the hepatitides.
abstract: Five major types of viral hepatitis have been described. The recent detection of the delta, C, and E agents has made possible the description of the clinical spectra of the disease. The recent recommendation on the universal immunization against hepatitis B has been a major step towards prevention of HBV infection. Recent studies have shown that interferon alfa-2a and alfa-2b may be useful in those with chronic hepatitis B and C. Future investigations are needed so that treatment and prevention of the other viral entities, especially in those who are immunocompromised, may be instituted. Liver transplantation offers hope in a subset of patients with end-stage liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramos-Soriano
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male