Hepatitis B Virus Infection

doi:10.1056/NEJMra0801644

Volume 359:1486-1500		October 2, 2008		Number 14

Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Jules L. Dienstag, M.D.

Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

Full Text

PDF

PDA Full Text

PowerPoint Slide Set

CME Exam

Purchase this article

Add to Personal Archive

Add to Citation Manager

Notify a Friend

E-mail When Cited

E-mail When Letters Appear

PubMed Citation

Reports of successful antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitisB virus (HBV) infection appeared three decades ago,¹ and duringthe past decade, progress has accelerated dramatically. Alongwith progress, however, has come complexity. So much more isknown now than at the dawn of the antiviral era about the proteanclinical expressions of HBV infection that determining whom,when, and how to treat has become progressively more challenging.

Virologic and Epidemiologic Factors and Natural History

HBV, a DNA virus transmitted percutaneously, sexually, and perinatally,affects 1.25 million persons in the United States and 350 to400 million persons worldwide. HBV infection accounts annuallyfor 4000 to 5500 deaths . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Goals of Antiviral Therapy

Antiviral Drugs

Resistance to Antiviral Drugs

Predictors of Response

Combination Therapy

HIV and HBV Coinfection

Indications for Antiviral Therapy

Choice of Agents

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Gastrointestinal Unit (Medical Services), Massachusetts General Hospital; and the Department of Medicine and Office of the Dean for Medical Education, Harvard Medical School — both in Boston.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Dienstag at the Gastrointestinal Unit, Jackson 7, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, or at jdienstag@partners.org.