Hepatitis B virus infection

C Trépo, HLY Chan, A Lok - The Lancet, 2014 - thelancet.com
C Trépo, HLY Chan, A Lok
The Lancet, 2014thelancet.com
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 …
Summary
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.
thelancet.com