title: Current treatment and future directions in the management of chronic hepatitis B viral infection.
abstract: The World Health Organization places hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the top 10 causes of death worldwide. It is estimated that there are over 400 million carriers of HBV as well. At least 20% to 30% of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers will die of complications of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. The serious consequences of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer occur in 30% of chronic carriers and confront patients and physicians throughout the world. Vaccination is the major form of treatment (prevention) that may eventually eliminate HBV worldwide. This article discusses the currently available treatments as well as evolving treatments for chronic HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology and Complex GI, Physicians Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center, 2340 Clay Street, Room 232, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. gishr@sutterhealth.org
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Gish
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009705:Nucleosides; D009711:Nucleotides; D007372:Interferons