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Abstract:
It has now been known for 40 years that the particular liver disease which has been called "icterus catarrhalis" in former times is being caused by virus infection. Before that, Virchow's thesis ("occlusion of the papilla by mucus"), and later on Eppinger's thesis ("serous hepatitis due to intoxication by unidentified protein break-down products") were held to be true. Only after liver biopsy was introduced became it known that this particular disease is in fact an inflammatory process. Since neither bacteria nor protozoa could be found, it had to be assumed that viruses were the positive agents. It then took another 30 years until two viruses causing hepatitis (A and B) could be identified. The most important steps in this process of identification were: (1) proof of the oral and parental route of infection by Voegt in Germany and by American authors (following yellow fever vaccination in the US Army); (2) detection of the Australia (HBS) antigen by Blumberg; and (3) transfer of the infectious disease to monkeys. In conclusion, the present day status of hepatitis research (virology, epidemiology, immunology) is presented and chances of prevention are discussed.