Chronic viral hepatitis
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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
1Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread parenterally. Chronic hepatitis C is fast becoming the leading indication for liver transplantation. Most infected patients go on to develop chronic hepatitis, with approximately 20% developing liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma after 20 years. Standard treatment now is with a combination of alpha-interferon and ribavirin, which is successful in up to 40% of patients. A vaccine is still a remote possibility and prevention remains all-important. Despite having a successful vaccine, chronic hepatitis B remains an important cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatments for active hepatitis include alpha-interferon and the newer nucleoside analogues such as lamivudine and adefovir. In patients undergoing liver transplantation, recurrence of hepatitis B in the graft can be reduced with a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and these nucleoside analogues.
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