From hepatitis A to E: A critical review of viral hepatitis
- PMID: 33967551
- PMCID: PMC8072198
- DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i16.1691
From hepatitis A to E: A critical review of viral hepatitis
Abstract
Viral infections affecting the liver have had an important impact on humanity, as they have led to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with acute and chronic infections. Once an unknown etiology, the discovery of the viral agents triggered interest of the scientific community to establish the pathogenesis and diagnostic modalities to identify the affected population. With the rapid scientific and technological advances in the last centuries, controlling and even curing the infections became a possibility, with a large focus on preventive medicine through vaccination. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E is required by primary care physicians and gastroenterologists to provide care to these patients. The review article describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools and current medication regimens, with a focus on upcoming treatment options and the role of liver transplantation.
Keywords: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis D; Hepatitis E; Treatment.
©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors have any compelling conflict of interest.
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