[The ABC of viral hepatitis].
Viral hepatitis has long been under-diagnosed. Hepatitis A is an acute disease, while patients infected by hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are likely to develop chronical infections and severe complications (cancer, cirrhosis). The current treatment of hepatitis B and C consists in alpha interferon (preferably under its pegylated form), in combination with ribavirin for hepatitis C. The frequent and severe adverse effects of interferon-based therapy constitute, however, a major limiting factor (reactions at the injection site, flu-like syndrome, neurological disorders, ...). For hepatitis B, two alternatives are available so far, namely lamivudine and adefovir (used as a prodrug with highe oral bioavailability).
Van Bambeke
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Unité de Pharmacologie cellulaire et moléculaire, Université Catholique de Louvain, avenue Mounier 73, 1200 Bruxelles. francoise. francoise.vanbambeke@uclouvain.be
D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014611:Vaccination
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000225:Adenine; C106812:adefovir dipivoxil