title: [Treatment of chronic hepatitis B].
abstract: More that 350 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Up to 40 percent of persons infected with the virus may develop complications related to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This reservoire is further growing up despite the fact that more than 110 countries have introduced large-scale vaccination against hepatitis B as part of the worldwide campaign launched by the WHO in 1991 and despite improved blood supply testing. At present, in Croatia there are no precise data on the rate of chronic HBV carriers, however, it is estimated to be < 2% (low prevalence country). To date, two drugs, interferon alfa and lamivudine, have been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Croatia. Recent guidelines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B based on the accumulated knowledge on the disesase pathogenesis and treatment outcome are presented.
authors.affiliation: Odjel za infektologiju, Opća bolnica Zadar, Zadar, Hrvatska. miro.morovic@zd.htnet.hr
authors.forename: Miro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morović
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019259:Lamivudine