[Viral hepatitis]

Abstract

Viral hepatitis is one of the most frequent infectious diseases of our time. It is of great concern to the epidemiological risk groups such as research laboratories, dialysis units and other public health agencies. The result of epidemiological, immunological, morphological and biochemical studies have demonstrated, that this disease is caused by at least two different viruses. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) induces the type A hepatitis and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) the type B hepatitis. Two antigen-antibody systems are associated with viral hepatitis type B: the hepatitis B-surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) and the hepatitis B-core Antigen (HBcAg) and antibody (anti-HBc). In the last years great progress has been made in the characterization of these distinct viruses. Both can be transmitted to monkeys. Advances in biophysical and biochemical procedures of treatment of hepatitis B sera have already resulted in first vaccination trials.