Die chronische Hepatitis Molekularbiologie und Klinik einer häufigen und folgenschweren Erkrankung

Journal/Book: Ärztezeitschrift für Naturheilverfahren. 1994; 35/3: 166-186.

Abstract: Chronic viral hepatitis is world-wide one of the most frequently occurring and one of greatest consequence chronic infectious disease of man and it is one of the main reasons of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. By means of new virus -serological and molecular biological procedures for the investigation it was during the last years possible to obtain clinically relevant knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of liver damage by this chronic infection but also with respect to protection, elimination of the virus and, thus, suppression or overcoming of the disease. In order to obtain such detailed findings that are indispensable for diagnosis, assessing the prognosis and planning the therapy the traditional diagnostic procedures are not sufficient. It is also not possible to classify chronic hepatitis only an the basis of clinical findings. Whereas up to few years ago the diagnosis was not followed by any effective therapeutical option, meanwhile entirely new possibilities are at disposal not only for the subtile diagnosis but also for the therapy of this formerly untreatable chronic liver disease; and that due to the progress in molecular virology and immunology. Above all the interferons, especially interferon alpha, have brought a new era through their antiviral principles and actions as immunomodulators. But the critical question for which patients with chronic viral hepatitis the interferon therapy helps to improve long-term prognosis is only to be answered by long-term observations. However, the purpose and benefit of such a therapy depend on an early diagnosis, i. e. a diagnosis possibly in the precirrhotic stage of the disease. The superior goal must however be the prevention of the disease by means of active immunization as it is already possible for hepatitis B (and also for hepatitis A).

Keyword(s): chronische Virushepatitis

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