title: Hepatitis B.
abstract: The hepatitis B virus is a hepatotropic virus that can produce a variety of clinical syndromes in patients ranging in age from infants to elderly adults. Worldwide, it is among the leading causes of fulminant hepatic failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent advances have led to effective antiviral treatments using interferon and nucleoside analogues. Highly effective vaccinations also are used widely and ultimately may lead to eradication of this life-threatening virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Befeler
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Di Bisceglie
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014611:Vaccination; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D009705:Nucleosides