Viral hepatitis B and C

Two billion people in the world are infected by Hepatitis B virus and it is estimated that more than 350 million are suffering from chronic viral hepatitis. This is a global problem which hits developing countries particularly hard.
The Hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1989 and is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in Europe and North America. In recent years, this infection has become a major public health problem throughout the developed world.
Of all the viruses which can cause hepatitis, the authors chose to focus on only the Hepatitis B and C viruses, both of which can give rise to long-term infection and chronic hepatitis which can progress to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver: hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world.
Given the seriousness of their complications, their high prevalence, and the continuity of transmission, Hepatitis B and C represent a priority public health problem on a global scale. This justifies raising the awareness of all health care providers about the problem, in particular general practitioners who are at the front line of patient care.
After a virological and medical history of discovery of these viruses which revolutionised our understanding of liver disease, details of the diseases—first Hepatitis B and then C—are given, including epidemiological characteristics, virology, pathogenic aspects and treatment.
A third section is dedicated to the pathogenesis of liver cancer and chronic Hepatitis B and C infections.
The fourth part reviews strategies to prevent and control these forms of viral hepatitis.
CONTENTS:
- History: the virology and medicine which led to the discovery of these viruses and revolutionised our understanding of liver disease
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatic oncogenesis and chronic Hepatitis B and C
- Strategies to prevent and control Hepatitis B and C