Authors: Netter, Hans-Jüürgen; Chang, Shau-Feng; Bruns, Michael

Source: Future Virology, Volume 3, Number 1, January 2008 , pp. 83-94(12)

Publisher: Future Medicine

Abstract:

Hepatitis B viruses are small enveloped DNA viruses referred to as Hepadnaviridae that cause transient or persistent (chronic) infections of the liver. This family is divided into two genera, orthohepadnavirus and avihepadnavirus, which infect mammals or birds as natural hosts, respectively. They possess a narrow host range determined by the initial steps of viral attachment and entry. Hepatitis B virus is the focus of biomedical research owing to its medical significance. Approximately 2 billion people have serological evidence of hepatitis B, and of these approximately 350 million people have chronic infections (World Health Organisation, Fact Sheet WHO/204, October 2000). Depending on viral and host factors, the outcomes of infection with hepatitis B virus vary between acute hepatitis, mild or severe chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Chronic infections are associated with an increased risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords: acute infection; cellular receptor; chronic infection; cirrhosis; cytokines; genome organization; hepatitis B virus; hepatocellular carcinoma; T lymphocytes; viral surface proteins

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/17460794.3.1.83

Publication date: 2008-01-01

More about this publication?

• Future Virology provides an interdisciplinary forum for all scientists working in the fields of virology and genomic research. The journal delivers essential information in concise, at-a-glance article formats. Key advances in the field are reported and analyzed by international experts, providing an authoritative but accessible forum for this ever-expanding area of research.
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Terms & Conditions
• Information for Librarians
• E-Access Trials
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine
• By this author: Netter, Hans-Jüürgen ;  Chang, Shau-Feng ;  Bruns, Michael

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers