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Hepatitis B: diagnosis and treatment
1Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|September 26, 1997
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is now preventable through immunization. While treatments exist for chronic HBV, they are not fully effective, and new viral variants and hepatitis D coinfection are emerging.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied for 30 years.
- Significant progress has been made in understanding HBV epidemiology, natural history, and pathogenesis of liver injury.
- Accurate diagnosis of acute and chronic HBV infection is now possible, with evolving insights into viral quantitation's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- To highlight advancements in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of HBV.
- To discuss emerging challenges such as viral variants and coinfection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical and basic research on HBV.
- Analysis of diagnostic capabilities for acute and chronic HBV.
- Evaluation of current prevention strategies (immunization) and treatment options (antiviral and immunomodulatory agents).
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B is now considered a preventable disease due to effective immunization strategies.
- Chronic HBV infection can progress variably based on patient age and immune status.
- Available treatments for chronic HBV infection show incomplete effectiveness.
- Recognition of HBV variants and coinfection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) is increasing.
Conclusions:
- HBV infection management has advanced significantly, with prevention being a key success.
- Challenges remain in achieving complete treatment efficacy for chronic HBV.
- Ongoing research is crucial to address emerging HBV variants and coinfections.