Chronic hepatitis B. Impact of hepatitis D virus superinfection and the hepatitis B e-system on histological outcome, and correlation of the hepatitis B e-system to HBV-DNA in serum

Hepatitis B virus infection in drug addicts: no acute fatalities, no chronicity and could have benefits

In a group of 159 drug addicts with acute hepatitis B in the 1970s there were no fatalities. During an observation period of about 25 years, 51 of the 159 died of various causes, but no deaths could be attributed to the hepatitis B infection. From 1998 to 2001, a follow-up examination of 53 of the 108 patients still alive, none of the 53 had a chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Fifteen out of thirty-five patients who had completely stopped using narcotics claimed that hospitalisation for acute hepatitis B had been an important factor in their decision to quit drugs.

Hepatitis A, B, and D

Inflammation of the liver is known as hepatitis. Six or seven viruses, hepatitis A-G, are responsible for the majority of cases of viral hepatitis. All of the types of hepatitis present with the same flu-like symptoms. In this first of a series of three articles, current knowledge regarding hepatitis A, B, and D will be reviewed. Fifty percent of hepatitis cases are due to hepatitis A. Hepatitis B is considered a sexually transmitted disease. Hepatitis D is an incomplete virus found accompanying Hepatitis B. Every phase of patient care improves when health care professionals are knowledgeable regarding their clients' illnesses. This article presents our current scientific understanding of hepatitis A, B, and D viruses.