| hepatitis B | <virology> A form of viral hepatitis, known as serum hepatitis, because it is commonly spread through contact with infected blood products (transfusion). May also be spread sexually or from mother to infant. Hepatitis B can cause a much more severe infection than hepatitis A and can occur as an asymptomatic carrier state, a chronic infection or as cirrhosis of the liver. Those at risk (IV drug abusers, health care workers, dialysis patients, transfusion recipients, homosexuals) should be immunised with hepatitis B vaccine. The virus is 42nm diameter, with an outer sheath enclosing inner 27nm core particle containing the circular viral DNA. Aggregates of the envelope proteins are found in plasma and are referred to as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, previously called Australia antigen). The virus can persist for long periods (and in asymptomatic carriers), association of integrated virus with hepatocellular carcinoma is now well established. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| hepatitis B antibodies | <immunology> Antibodies to the hepatitis b antigens, including antibodies to the surface (Australia) and core of the dane particle and those to the "e" antigens. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis B antigen | Antigens of the virion of the hepatitis b virus or the dane particle, its surface, core and other associated antigens, like the hbe antigen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis B core antigen | <virology> (HBcAb, HBcAg), the antigen found in the core of the Dane particle (which is the complete virus) and also in hepatocyte nuclei in hepatitis B infections. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hepatitis B e antigen | (HBeAb, HBe, HBeAg), an antigen, or group of antigen's, associated with hepatitis B infection and distinct from the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the core antigen (HBcAg); it is associated with the viral nucleocapsid. Its presence indicates that the virus is replicating and the individual is potentially infectious. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hepatitis b e antigens | A closely related group of antigens found in the plasma only during the infective phase of hepatitis b or in virulent chronic hepatitis b, probably indicating active virus replication; there are three subtypes which may exist in a complex with immunoglobulins g. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis b immunization | Hepatits B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. In the u.s., all infants receive hep b vaccine. Two vaccines (engerix-b, and recombivax-hb) are available in the us. The first dose of hep b vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit following birth. The second dose is given about 30 days after the initial dose. A booster dose is performed approximately six months later. Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep b receive, in addition, hbig (hep b immune globulin) for prompt protection. Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive a hep b booster as are adults in high-risk situations including healthcare workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic hep b infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, iv drug users, and recipients of repeated transfusions. Healthcare workers accidentally exposed to materials infected with hep b (such as needle sticks), and individuals with known sexual contact with hep b patients are usually given both hbig and vaccine to provide immediate and long term protection. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis B surface antigen | <virology> A serologic marker on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. The body will normally produce antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen as part of the normal immune response to infection. It is the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen that are detected in a positive hepatitis B blood test. (27 Sep 1997) |
| hepatitis b surface antigens | Those hepatitis b antigens found on the surface of the dane particle and on the 20 nm spherical and tubular particles. Several subspecificities of the surface antigen are known. These were formerly called the Australia antigen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis B vaccine | <virology> An injectable vaccine, given in three boosters, which offers protection from infection with hepatitis B. (27 Sep 1997) |
| hepatitis b vaccines | Vaccines or candidate vaccines containing inactivated hepatitis b or some of its component antigens and designed to prevent hepatitis b. Some vaccines may be recombinantly produced. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis b virus | The type species of the genus orthohepadnavirus which causes human hepatitis b and is also apparently a causal agent in human hepatocellular carcinoma. The dane particle is an intact hepatitis virion, named after its discoverer. Non-infectious spherical and tubular particles are also seen in the serum. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis b virus, duck | A DNA virus that closely resembles human hepatitis b virus. It has been recovered from naturally infected ducks. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis b virus, woodchuck | An orthohepadnavirus causing chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in woodchucks. It closely resembles the human hepatitis b virus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis C | <virology> A form of viral hepatitis, previously referred to as nonA nonB hepatitis, is the most common form of blood transfusion acquired hepatitis. Transmission through sexual contact is considered rare. Risk factors include recent blood transfusion, IV drug abuse or occupational exposure to blood products. There is no specific treatment. There is a test for hepatitis C antibody which indicates prior exposure. Unlike hepatitis b there is no marker yet identifiable for those who suffer from chronic hepatitis C. (27 Sep 1997) |