CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HEPATITIS VIRUSES
Keywords:
Viral hepatitis; Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses; Liver diseases; Classification of viruses; Routes of transmission; Clinical course; Prevention and vaccination.Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive overview of hepatitis viruses, their classification, and their main biological and clinical characteristics. Hepatitis viruses constitute a group of pathogens that damage liver cells and are characterized by diverse routes of transmission and clinical courses. To date, five major types of viral hepatitis—A, B, C, D, and E—have been identified, each of which differs significantly in etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations. The abstract emphasizes that hepatitis A and E viruses are primarily transmitted via the fecal–oral route, usually present as acute infections, and do not progress to chronic disease. In contrast, hepatitis B and C viruses are transmitted through blood and other biological fluids and play a major role in the development of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also scientifically substantiated that hepatitis D virus infection occurs only in the presence of hepatitis B virus and significantly aggravates the severity of the disease.The article presents general concepts regarding the genomic structure of hepatitis viruses, their effects on the immune response, clinical manifestations, complications, and preventive measures.
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