Studies On Hepatitis Viruses

Studies on Hepatitis Viruses: Life Cycle, Structure, Functions, and Inhibition presents the latest on this systemic infection that predominantly affects the liver with inflammation that can be acute or chronic. Hepatitis viruses have been the subject of intense study in the last twenty years, with a wealth of information related to their lifecycle, structure, functions and inhibition being presented. This book compiles the most important developments and research, giving users a very useful guide on this evolving area of virology and medicinal chemistry. Provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art coverage of hepatitis virus infections, the virus' lifecycle, and mechanisms of protease inhibition Analyzes structure-activity relationships of inhibitors of viral hepatitis Presents an in-depth view of the structure and function of viral hepatitis Discusses classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis, natural history, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, associated disorders and animal models

Discusses all aspects of viral hepatitis, from structure and molecular virology, and natural history and experimental models, to epidemiology, diagnosis and prevention. A section on clinical aspects covers transfusion-associated hepatitis, occupational aspects and paediatric infection.

The global epidemic of hepatitis B and C is a serious public health problem. Hepatitis B and C are the major causes of chronic liver disease and liver cancer in the world. In the next 10 years, 150,000 people in the United States will die from liver disease or liver cancer associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Today, between 800,000 and 1.4 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B and between 2.7 and 3.9 million have chronic hepatitis C. People most at risk for hepatitis B and C often are the least likely to have access to medical services. Reducing the rates of illness and death associated with these diseases will require greater awareness and knowledge among health care workers, improved identification of at-risk people, and improved access to medical care. Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. Although federal public health officials recommend that all newborns, children, and at-risk adults receive the vaccine, about 46,000 new acute cases of the HBV infection emerge each year, including 1,000 in infants who acquire the infection during birth from their HBV-positive mothers. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, which is transmitted by direct exposure to infectious blood. Hepatitis and Liver Cancer identifies missed opportunities related to the prevention and control of HBV and HCV infections. The book presents ways to reduce the numbers of new HBV and HCV infections and the morbidity and mortality related to chronic viral hepatitis. It identifies priorities for research, policy, and action geared toward federal, state, and local public health officials, stakeholder, and advocacy groups and professional organizations.

Hepatitis B and C cause most cases of hepatitis in the United States and the world. The two diseases account for about a million deaths a year and 78 percent of world's hepatocellular carcinoma and more than half of all fatal cirrhosis. In 2013 viral hepatitis, of which hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common types, surpassed HIV and AIDS to become the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. The world now has the tools to prevent hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C. Perfect vaccination could eradicate HBV, but it would take two generations at least. In the meantime, there is no cure for the millions of people already infected. Conversely, there is no vaccine for HCV, but new direct-acting antivirals can cure 95 percent of chronic infections, though these drugs are unlikely to reach all chronically-infected people anytime soon. This report, the second of two, builds off the conclusions of the first report and outlines a strategy for hepatitis reduction over time and specific actions to achieve them.

Testing and diagnosis of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection is the gateway for access to both prevention and treatment services, and is a crucial component of an effective response to the hepatitis epidemic. Early identification of persons with chronic HBV or HCV infection enables them to receive the necessary care and treatment to prevent or delay progression of liver disease. Testing also provides an opportunity to link people to interventions to reduce transmission, through counselling on risk behaviors and provision of prevention commodities (such as sterile needles and syringes) and hepatitis B vaccination. These are the first WHO guidelines on testing for chronic HBV and HCV infection and complement published guidance by WHO on the prevention, care and treatment of chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection. These guidelines outline the public health approach to strengthening and expanding current testing practices for HBV and HCV, and are intended for use across age groups and populations.

The 4th edition of Viral Hepatitis coverscomprehensively the entire complex field of infections caused byall of the different hepatitis viruses, which affect many millionsof people throughout the world with considerable morbidity andmortality. Howard Thomas and Arie Zuckerman are joined by Anna Lok from theUSA and Stephen Locarnini from Australia as Editors. Theyhave recruited leading researchers and physicians from manycountries, who have produced an authoritative account of currentknowledge and research on this important infection, including newinsights into immune response to HBV and HCV. The result is a comprehensive account on all aspects of viralhepatitis, including rapid advances in the diagnosis, management,treatment and prevention of a complex infection, which in the caseof hepatitis B, C and D may lead to severe complications includingchronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The latest edition of Viral Hepatitis offers an essentialresource of current information for hepatologists,gastroenterologists, infectious diseases specialists and otherclinicians, researchers, public health physicians and National andInternational Health Authorities.

This volume serves as a reference for the dissemination of advances made in the study of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Hepatitis B Virus: Methods and Protocols details protocols and techniques ranging from cell culture studies to in vivo and clinical immunology. The chapters in this book discuss treatments of in vitro infection systems, analysis and quantification of cccDNA and its mutations; in vitro polymerase activity assays; cellular trafficking of core proteins; intracellular calcium metabolism; detection, cloning, and sequencing of HBV markers; and new strategies aimed at exploiting new mechanisms for drug discovery. The book also covers classical methods for resolution of extracellular viral particles by native gel electrophoresis, and methods for detecting HBV antigens in drug discovery. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Hepatitis B Virus: Methods and Protocols is a valuable tool for researchers to use toward their advanced studies in HBV. .

This book presents up-to-date, practically oriented information on major topics in chronic hepatitis C. The coverage encompasses epidemiology; diagnosis, including molecular methods; treatment and challenges; and the management of co-infections. Readers will find guidance on pretherapeutic evaluation with respect to disease severity and extrahepatic manifestations. Resistance to antiviral treatment and its management are discussed, and the nature of optimal follow-up is addressed in detail. Treatment of HCV/HIV co-infection is considered separately, and the approach in special patient populations is thoroughly examined. Chronic Hepatitis C will be of high value for general practitioners and specialists in gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and internal medicine. It will be international in scope in terms of both authorship and appeal.