Understanding Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) results in a broad spectrum of liver disease, ranging from subclinical infection to acute, self-limited hepatitis and fatal, fulminant hepatitis. Exposure to HBV, particularly when it occurs early in life, may also result in an asymptomatic carrier state that can progress to chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Complex viral and host factors determine this variable clinical outcome. Fundamental questions about the biologic aspects of hepatitis B that have direct relevance to clinical practice remain unresolved. It is estimated that there are 400 to 500 million HBV carriers in . . .