title: Understanding hepatitis B.
abstract: Advances in molecular virology and availability of new antiviral agents have made a positive impact on the treatment of hepatitis B. It is important to know the natural history of hepatitis B virus as high amount of virus may remain in the body for long periods of time without any significant liver disease. Whilst reactivation or mutation of hepatitis B virus and immune clearance may be associated with liver injury leading at times to liver failure. Serological and virological tests are routinely available to systematically evaluate a patient who is detected to have Hepatitis B virus infection. International guidelines have been formulated to suggest appropriate selection of the patient and drug for effective treatment. Therapeutic strategies for total eradication of hepatitis B virus from the liver still remain elusive. However it is now possible to ameliorate liver disease and alter the natural history with effective long-term suppression of the hepatitis B virus. New formulations of existing drugs and newer antiviral agents are constantly being looked into in clinical trials in the pursuit of an ideal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.
authors.forename: Samir R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019259:Lamivudine; C053001:adefovir; D000225:Adenine