[Hepatitis: an international problem (author's transl)]

Abstract

Three kinds of virus hepatitis are recognized today: hepatitis A, B, and "non A-nonB". Hepatitis A is transmitted mainly by the anal-oral route, hepatitis B and probably also the third form of hepatitis principally by direct inoculation or close physical contact. Normal human immune serum globulin protects against hepatitis A, but only gives limited protection against hepatitis B and "non A-non B" hepatitis. Special immune serum globulin provides better protection but it is only available in small quantities and should be reserved for direct inoculation only. Vaccines for active immunization against hepatitis A and "non A- non B" hepatitis have not yet been developed and active immunization against hepatitis B with HBs-Ag is still in the experimental stage.