Chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection affects approximately 350 million people worldwide and 1.1 million in Romania. Despite the tremendous progress in the management of virus B infection, the treatment of chronic hepatitis B remain difficult and often disappointing. The aim of treatment is sustained suppression of HBV replication and remission of liver disease. Treatment is not indicated in immune tolerance phase or in the inactive carrier state, but it is necessary in immune clearance phase, after 3-6 months of surveillance. Two antiviral drugs are accepted: alpha-interferon and lamivudine. The results of both treatments are far of being perfect; new, more potent antiviral drugs are required.