Viral hepatitis in practice - 2010


Advances in technology for viral hepatitis
Mark Atkins
pp 1-3
The pace of developments in molecular diagnostics has been dramatic – most notably in terms of clinical utility, ease of use, timeliness of results and cost. It is not possible to review the entire array of ingenious technologies in development, but this article will highlight some of the most important recent ones.
Comment: A rapidly evolving subject matter
Alastair Miller
pp 3-3
It gives me great pleasure to write my first editorial for VHIP. My primary task is to pay tribute to my predecessor, Geoff Dusheiko, who did such a magnificent job in getting the journal established on a firm footing. Unfortunately, he has had to step down as Editor but I am delighted to know that he will remain on the Editorial Board.
Treating chronic hepatitis B infection: monotherapy versus combination therapy
Amit Gera, Ivana Carey and Kosh Agarwal
pp 4-5
The long-term serious consequences of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection evolve over a period of decades, but evidence from clinical trials for antiviral therapy is typically limited to five years. Using the data available, the efficacy of antihepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) therapy is monitored by surrogate endpoints of biochemical and histological improvement, suppression of viral replication, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion or, more rarely, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss.
Referral procedures for hepatitis B in general practice
Sejal Patel, Deepak Joshi and Kosh Agarwal
pp 6-8
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a significant health problem in the UK. Notification figures over the last ten years demonstrate a sustained increase in the number of cases, with the current prevalence estimated to be between 180,000 and 320,000. However, there is much geographical variation across the country. In areas that experience high rates of immigration, the prevalence is likely to be much more, with as many as one in 50 people infected with the virus.
How to tackle under-ascertainment of chronic viral hepatitis in the UK
Chris Packham, Will Irving and Sadhana Bose
pp 9-11
Chronic liver disease accounted for some 6,450 deaths in England and Wales in 2008, a rise of 43% from the number ten years previously, with chronic viral hepatitis responsible for possibly 5–10%. There is also a growing body of evidence for effective treatment, with the potential to substantially reduce the burden of chronic liver disease for the population.

Viral hepatitis in practice was previously supported by Gilead Sciences from 2015 to 2016, by Gilead Sciences and Janssen in 2014, by Gilead Sciences and Roche Products in 2013 and by Gilead Sciences from 2009 to 2012.


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ISSN 2041-1162 (Print)  ISSN 2045-7863 (Online)