title: Natural history of chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: In this article, the 4 phases of chronic HBV infection are reviewed and the factors that are associated with disease progression and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis are discussed. Also discussed is what is known to date about how to identify persons at the highest risk of developing HCC and/or cirrhosis. Finally, ways in which the natural history can be altered by hepatitis B vaccination and identification, close monitoring, and appropriate treatment of chronically infected individuals are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, USA. bdm9@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005843:Geography; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines