Book Description:
This new book provides a comprehensive review of the studies concerning HBV epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment. In addition, it describes recent advances in the knowledge of immune response function, promoting either viral control or persistence, and effects of antiviral therapy in patients with HBV acute or chronic infection are reported. Although mechanisms involved in inflammatory and immune response in acute and chronic HBV infections have been extensively studied, several questions remain unresolved. Moreover, in recent years several key steps in research have contributed to improve our present knowledge of immunopathogenesis of HBV infection.

Table of Contents:
Preface

1. Introduction, pp. 1-2

2. Normal Immunitary System Response during Viral Infection, pp. 3-17

3. Hepatitis B Virus Genoma Organization, pp. 19-20

4. Modulation of Specific Lymphocyte Subsets Response Against HBV Antigents in Peripheral Blood and in Liver Tissue, pp. 21-26

5. Cytokines and Growth Factors Activities Induced by Viral Antigens during HBV Acute and Chronic Infection, pp. 27-30

6. Immune Response during HBV Acute and Chronic Infection, pp. 31-45

7. Antiviral Treatments and Immune Response in HBV Infection, pp. 47-50

8. Possible Mechanisms and Events involved in Immune Response Dysfunctions in HBV Chronic Infection, pp. 51-89

Bibliography

Index