Hepatitis B and C

Wikrom Karnsakul; Kathleen B Schwarz

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2017.01.007

Hepatitis B and C

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2017 Jun;64(3):641-658. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2017.01.007.

Authors

Wikrom Karnsakul¹, Kathleen B Schwarz²

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Liver Center, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, CMSC 2-117, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Pediatric Liver Center, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, CMSC 2-116, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Abstract

Chronic viral hepatitis is a global health threat and financial burden. Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are the most common causes of chronic viral hepatitis in the United States. Most cases are asymptomatic before adulthood. Research has resulted in effective therapy for HCV and the promise of effective therapies for HBV. For HCV, therapy is pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Clinical trials with effective direct-acting antiviral agents are underway in pediatrics. For HBV, approved agents are alpha-interferon, lamivudine, adefovir, tenofovir, and entecavir. However, treatment seldom results in functional cure and more effective therapies are urgently needed.

Keywords: Direct-acting antiviral agents; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Pegylated interferon; Spontaneous viral clearance; Sustained virologic response.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Hepatitis B / diagnosis
Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
Hepatitis C / diagnosis
Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
Hepatitis Viruses / drug effects*
Humans
Male

Substances

Antiviral Agents

Grants and funding

U01 DK082916/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States