[Serological markers of viral hepatitis]

In the last three decades we have reinforced our knowledge of the biology, natural history and serology of viral hepatitis. The available serologic tests allow us to determine the state of the disease (acute or chronic), the replicative state of the virus and in some cases to predict prognosis. Serologic assays are technically easy and fast, and generally do not represent any interpretation problem. Advances in molecular biology has permitted the discovery of mutants and new serotypes, as well as the elaboration of assays capable of detecting genomic amounts of specific nucleic acids for further characterization of the hepatitis viruses. This means we are, again, at the beginning of a new area.