Viral hepatitis: recent developments and prospects for prevention

Abstract

During the past decade new development in hepatitis research have shed new light on the etiologic, epidemiologic, immunologic, and prophylactic aspects of type A and B hepatitis virus infection. Recent advances in hepatitis A virus research include: (1) identification of the virus as a 27 nm particle with characteristics resembling an enterovirus, (2) transmission of the infection to marmosets and chimpanzees, and (3) development of specific complement fixation and immune adherence antibody tests. Recent advances in hepatitis B research include: (1) identification of the virus as a 42 nm particle (Dane particle) containing an outer coat, the hepatitis B surface antigen, and an inner core, the hepatitis B core antigen, (2) development of specific tests to detect the hepatitis B antigens and their respective antibodies, (3) transmission of the infection to chimpanzees, (4) development of a specific hepatitis B immune serum globulin, and (5) development of an inactivated hepatitis B vaccine.