Viral Hepatitis Update : Special Topic Issue: Intervirology 1999, Vol. 42, No. 2-3

The following seven viruses are known as causative agents of acute hepatitis: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis G virus (HGV) and TT virus (TTV).

All these viruses except for HAV and HEV cause chronic hepatitis; HBV and HCV are the major causative viruses of chronic hepatitis, which may progress to liver cirrhosis and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In this special issue leading investigators report on recent progress in viral hepatitis research, both in basic and clinical virology.

All the seven hepatitis viruses known to date are considered.

Current treatment modalities and new antiviral agents are evaluated, and the potential of genetic immunization for the development of new vaccines is discussed.

Providing an excellent survey of the field, this publication is recommended reading for clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, as well as for investigators in virology, molecular biology, immunology and vaccine development.