Current Hepatology

Divided into four sections, this volume considers the new seriology of Hepatitis C, management of chronic Hepatitis B and of chronic Hepatitis C, new approaches to the management of alcoholic liver disease, and the molecular biology of liver diseases. In the first section the chapter on "Molecular Biology of the Hepatitis Virus" reports major investigative trends, including widespread application of probe technology, and the potential creation of a vaccine employing recombinant antigens. The section on management of chronic Hepatitis B and of chronic Hepatitis C contains a chapter on "Chronic Hepatitis - the Long Silents" which is a practical guide to evolving concepts of the management of these diseases. The third section integrates clinical and basic studies of cirrhosis and alcoholic Hepatitis. "Alcoholic Liver Disease" covers biologic markers and immune mechanisms, with the main focus on treatment. "Cirrhosis" provides a thorough review of recent studies, focusing on such topics as the role of the sympathetic nervous system, the testing of antimitchondiran antibodies, and glucose metabolism.
In the final section three chapters combine to form an interrelationship of research activities throughout the year's literature. "Molecular Biology of the Hepatitis Virus" and "Cirrhosis" focus on new information on molecular biology as an aid to treatment and understanding of the respective diseases. "Drug Induced Liver Disease" discusses tissue responses and other indicators that clinicians should be aware of in order to reduce the incidence and severity of toxicity in problematic new drugs.