title: Slowing the progression of chronic hepatitis B. Early antiviral therapy can help minimize complications.
abstract: About 350 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Up to 40% of persons infected with the virus may go on to have complications related to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral therapy can suppress viral replication and halt the progression of liver disease in persons with chronic infection. In this article, the authors explore the modes of HBV transmission, describe the characteristics of chronic infection, and review the drugs available to treat it.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 450 E 69th St, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Purow
authors.forename: Ira M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D063065:Organophosphonates; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D063065:Organophosphonates; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019259:Lamivudine; C053001:adefovir; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000225:Adenine