Hepatitis B virus epidemiology, disease burden, treatment, and current and emerging prevention and control measures

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Edited by:

H.C.

Print ISSN: 1352-0504

Online ISSN: 1365-2893

Issues per Volume: Bi-monthly

Current Volume: 11

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2002: 12/45 (Gastroent & Hepatol);

9/38 (Infect Dis); 10/24 (Virol)

Impact Factor: 2.744

Volume 11: Issue 2

Hepatitis B virus epidemiology, disease burden, treatment, and current and

emerging prevention and control measures

D. Lavanchy

Abstract

Summary.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem, with 2

billion people infected worldwide, and 350 million suffering from chronic

HBV infection. The 10th leading cause of death worldwide, HBV infections

result in 500 000 to 1.2 million deaths per year caused by chronic

hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; the last accounts for

320 000 deaths per year [1, 2]. In Western countries, the disease is

relatively rare and acquired primarily in adulthood, whereas in Asia and

most of Africa, chronic HBV infection is common and usually acquired

perinatally or in childhood. More efficacious treatments, mass immunization

programs, and safe injection techniques are essential for eliminating HBV

infection and reducing global HBV-related morbidity and mortality. Safe and

effective vaccines against HBV infection have been available since 1982. The

implementation of mass immunization programs, which have been recommended by

the World Health Organization since 1991, have dramatically decreased the

incidence of HBV infection among infants, children, and adolescents in many

countries [2]. However, not all countries have adopted these recommendations

and there remains a large number of persons that were infected with HBV

prior to the implementation of immunization programs. Antiviral treatment is

the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic HBV infection.

Conventional interferon alfa and lamivudine have been the primary treatments

to date. Conventional interferon alfa produces a durable response in a

moderate proportion of patients but has undesirable side-effects and must be

administered subcutaneously three times per week. Lamivudine also produces a

response in a modest proportion of patients and causes few side-effects [3].

However, prolonged treatment is often necessary to prevent relapse on

cessation of therapy, and continuous treatment can lead to the development

of lamivudine resistance [4]. Promising emerging new treatments include

adefovir [5], entecavir [6] and peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) [7].

Article Type: Original Article

Page range: 97 - 107

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Edited by:

H.C.

Print ISSN: 1352-0504

Online ISSN: 1365-2893

Issues per Volume: Bi-monthly

Current Volume: 11

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2002: 12/45 (Gastroent & Hepatol);

9/38 (Infect Dis); 10/24 (Virol)

Impact Factor: 2.744

Volume 11: Issue 2

Hepatitis B virus epidemiology, disease burden, treatment, and current and

emerging prevention and control measures

D. Lavanchy

Abstract

Summary.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem, with 2

billion people infected worldwide, and 350 million suffering from chronic

HBV infection. The 10th leading cause of death worldwide, HBV infections

result in 500 000 to 1.2 million deaths per year caused by chronic

hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; the last accounts for

320 000 deaths per year [1, 2]. In Western countries, the disease is

relatively rare and acquired primarily in adulthood, whereas in Asia and

most of Africa, chronic HBV infection is common and usually acquired

perinatally or in childhood. More efficacious treatments, mass immunization

programs, and safe injection techniques are essential for eliminating HBV

infection and reducing global HBV-related morbidity and mortality. Safe and

effective vaccines against HBV infection have been available since 1982. The

implementation of mass immunization programs, which have been recommended by

the World Health Organization since 1991, have dramatically decreased the

incidence of HBV infection among infants, children, and adolescents in many

countries [2]. However, not all countries have adopted these recommendations

and there remains a large number of persons that were infected with HBV

prior to the implementation of immunization programs. Antiviral treatment is

the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic HBV infection.

Conventional interferon alfa and lamivudine have been the primary treatments

to date. Conventional interferon alfa produces a durable response in a

moderate proportion of patients but has undesirable side-effects and must be

administered subcutaneously three times per week. Lamivudine also produces a

response in a modest proportion of patients and causes few side-effects [3].

However, prolonged treatment is often necessary to prevent relapse on

cessation of therapy, and continuous treatment can lead to the development

of lamivudine resistance [4]. Promising emerging new treatments include

adefovir [5], entecavir [6] and peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) [7].

Article Type: Original Article

Page range: 97 - 107

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Edited by:

H.C.

Print ISSN: 1352-0504

Online ISSN: 1365-2893

Issues per Volume: Bi-monthly

Current Volume: 11

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2002: 12/45 (Gastroent & Hepatol);

9/38 (Infect Dis); 10/24 (Virol)

Impact Factor: 2.744

Volume 11: Issue 2

Hepatitis B virus epidemiology, disease burden, treatment, and current and

emerging prevention and control measures

D. Lavanchy

Abstract

Summary.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem, with 2

billion people infected worldwide, and 350 million suffering from chronic

HBV infection. The 10th leading cause of death worldwide, HBV infections

result in 500 000 to 1.2 million deaths per year caused by chronic

hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; the last accounts for

320 000 deaths per year [1, 2]. In Western countries, the disease is

relatively rare and acquired primarily in adulthood, whereas in Asia and

most of Africa, chronic HBV infection is common and usually acquired

perinatally or in childhood. More efficacious treatments, mass immunization

programs, and safe injection techniques are essential for eliminating HBV

infection and reducing global HBV-related morbidity and mortality. Safe and

effective vaccines against HBV infection have been available since 1982. The

implementation of mass immunization programs, which have been recommended by

the World Health Organization since 1991, have dramatically decreased the

incidence of HBV infection among infants, children, and adolescents in many

countries [2]. However, not all countries have adopted these recommendations

and there remains a large number of persons that were infected with HBV

prior to the implementation of immunization programs. Antiviral treatment is

the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic HBV infection.

Conventional interferon alfa and lamivudine have been the primary treatments

to date. Conventional interferon alfa produces a durable response in a

moderate proportion of patients but has undesirable side-effects and must be

administered subcutaneously three times per week. Lamivudine also produces a

response in a modest proportion of patients and causes few side-effects [3].

However, prolonged treatment is often necessary to prevent relapse on

cessation of therapy, and continuous treatment can lead to the development

of lamivudine resistance [4]. Promising emerging new treatments include

adefovir [5], entecavir [6] and peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) [7].

Article Type: Original Article

Page range: 97 - 107

[Guest guest]

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Edited by:

H.C.

Print ISSN: 1352-0504

Online ISSN: 1365-2893

Issues per Volume: Bi-monthly

Current Volume: 11

ISI Journal Citation Reports® Ranking: 2002: 12/45 (Gastroent & Hepatol);

9/38 (Infect Dis); 10/24 (Virol)

Impact Factor: 2.744

Volume 11: Issue 2

Hepatitis B virus epidemiology, disease burden, treatment, and current and

emerging prevention and control measures

D. Lavanchy

Abstract

Summary.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem, with 2

billion people infected worldwide, and 350 million suffering from chronic

HBV infection. The 10th leading cause of death worldwide, HBV infections

result in 500 000 to 1.2 million deaths per year caused by chronic

hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; the last accounts for

320 000 deaths per year [1, 2]. In Western countries, the disease is

relatively rare and acquired primarily in adulthood, whereas in Asia and

most of Africa, chronic HBV infection is common and usually acquired

perinatally or in childhood. More efficacious treatments, mass immunization

programs, and safe injection techniques are essential for eliminating HBV

infection and reducing global HBV-related morbidity and mortality. Safe and

effective vaccines against HBV infection have been available since 1982. The

implementation of mass immunization programs, which have been recommended by

the World Health Organization since 1991, have dramatically decreased the

incidence of HBV infection among infants, children, and adolescents in many

countries [2]. However, not all countries have adopted these recommendations

and there remains a large number of persons that were infected with HBV

prior to the implementation of immunization programs. Antiviral treatment is

the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic HBV infection.

Conventional interferon alfa and lamivudine have been the primary treatments

to date. Conventional interferon alfa produces a durable response in a

moderate proportion of patients but has undesirable side-effects and must be

administered subcutaneously three times per week. Lamivudine also produces a

response in a modest proportion of patients and causes few side-effects [3].

However, prolonged treatment is often necessary to prevent relapse on

cessation of therapy, and continuous treatment can lead to the development

of lamivudine resistance [4]. Promising emerging new treatments include

adefovir [5], entecavir [6] and peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) [7].

Article Type: Original Article

Page range: 97 - 107