title: Hepatitis B: transmission and natural history.
abstract: This paper reviews the transmission and natural history of hepatitis B viral infection. Means of transmission are compared by geographical region, and the association with risk factors is described. Long term outcome and overall survival are documented, and the need for universal screening programmes is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, St Louis, Missouri 63106.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Perrillo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors