Epidemiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epidemiology, including details on twin studies, statistics, environmental and genetic factors.

Chronic hepatitis B: current epidemiology in the Americas and implications for management.

Gish RG, Gadano AC

Division of Hepatology and Complex GI, Physician Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. gishr@sutterhealth.org

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a serious health threat in many parts of the world. Although its prevalence is lower in the Americas than in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in North, Central and South America. There is a nonuniform pattern of distribution throughout this region, with HBV prevalence related to geographical, social and cultural factors that predispose certain individuals to infection. This report details the incidence, modes of viral transmission of hepatitis B in the Americas and clinical course of disease in different regions of the Americas. Additionally, the implications for management focusing on issues predominant in high-risk populations are presented.

Published 19 November 2006 in J Viral Hepat, 13(12): 787-98.
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