Epidemiology, prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis with emphasis on new developments

There are a large number of viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, Herpes simplex, mumps, varicella, yellow fever, etc., known to cause inflammatory disease of the liver, but the term viral hepatitis generally refers to the five well described hepatotropic viruses which are divided into enteral and parenteral groups based on their mode of transmission. Hepatitis A and E viruses are enterically transmitted by the faecal-oral route and do not exist in a chronic carrier state. Hepatitis B, C and D viruses are parenterally transmitted, occur both in the acute and chronic forms, and, when they persist in a chronic carrier state, they serve as a reservoir for infection and give rise to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis G virus has recently been described but its significance in the causation of human liver disease is yet to be established. Also, the most recently described TT virus in patients with post-transfusion hepatitis awaits further studies. Acute sporadic and epidemic viral hepatitis are common world-wide, mostly in the developing countries, including Ethiopia, and account for high morbidity and mortality, especially among pregnant women. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus is a significant problem on a global scale, affecting over 300 million people. Hepatitis C virus infection is probably the most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this article will review and highlight the relevant epidemiological, preventive and therapeutic aspects of viral hepatitis with emphasis on new developments and recent data obtained from Ethiopian studies.