title: Hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide; roughly 30% of the world's population show serological evidence of current or past infection. Hepatitis B virus is a partly double-stranded DNA virus with several serological markers: HBsAg and anti-HBs, HBeAg and anti-HBe, and anti-HBc IgM and IgG. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood and semen. A safe and effective vaccine has been available since 1981, and, although variable, the implementation of universal vaccination in infants has resulted in a sharp decline in prevalence. Hepatitis B virus is not cytopathic; both liver damage and viral control--and therefore clinical outcome--depend on the complex interplay between virus replication and host immune response. Overall, as much as 40% of men and 15% of women with perinatally acquired hepatitis B virus infection will die of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition to decreasing hepatic inflammation, long-term antiviral treatment can reverse cirrhosis and reduce hepatocellular carcinoma. Development of new therapies that can improve HBsAg clearance and virological cure is warranted.
authors: Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; INSERM U1052, Lyon, France. Electronic address: christian.trepo@chu-lyon.fr.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Trépo
authors: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease and State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Henry L Y
authors: HL
authors: Chan
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Lok
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons