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Prevention and Immunoprophylaxis of Chronic Viral Hepatitis

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Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

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Abstract

Despite the recent advances reflected in this book. Therapeutic approaches in chronic viral hepatitis are still less than perfect. Furthermore, recent increases in understanding of the epidemiology and natural history of these persistent infections have been matched only partially by advances in prevention and immunoprophylaxis. In this chapter, current state-of-the-art prevention and immunoprophylaxis is reviewed, and future potential strategies are outlined. Primary prevention of chronic viral hepatitis involves reducing the risk of infection by decreasing exposure opportunities to the responsible viruses, or by reducing susceptibility to infection by passive or active immunization. Although considerable success has been achieved through immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HBV/hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infections, with HBV vaccines and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are not yet available. Similarly, neither HDV-specific nor HCV-specific immunoglobulins are in use. Recent advances in recombinant technology, immunization with DNA caccines, and improved adjucants hold promise that effective vaccines can be developed. However, registration trials for HCV and HDV vaccines are possibly a decade away from initiation. Hence, nonimmunization-based efforts are necessary to reduce the risk of exposure and chronic infection, and for many years will continue to be an important component in the prevention of these bloodborne infections. Even when vaccines are available, complete vaccine coverage of the population will probably be difficult to achieve.

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Authors
  1. Raymond S. Koff MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond S. Koff MD

  2. Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    George Y. Wu MD, PhD

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Koff, R.S. (2002). Prevention and Immunoprophylaxis of Chronic Viral Hepatitis. In: Koff, R.S., Wu, G.Y. (eds) Chronic Viral Hepatitis. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-104-6_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-104-6_16

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4772-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-104-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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