Starved T cells allow hepatitis B to silently infect liver

London: Hepatitis B stimulates processes that deprive the body’s immune cells of key nutrients that they need to function, finds new UCL-led research funded by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust. The work helps to explain why the immune system cannot control hepatitis B virus infection once it becomes established in the liver, and offers a target for potential curative treatments down the line. The research also offers insights into controlling the immune system, which could be useful for organ transplantation and treating auto-immune diseases.

HBV Exposure Matures Infants’ Immune Systems

Singapore: A Singapore led study has shown that Hepatitis B Virus Infection (HBV) exposure increases the immune system maturation of infants, which may give a better survival advantage to counteract bacterial infection during early life. These findings radically modify the way that HBV vertical infection of neonates (mother-to-child) is portrayed, and present a paradigm shift in the approach to treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis virus. PHIL

Author: Dr Norah Terrault University of California San Francisco 2008-07-22

Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic infection. Worldwide, there are approximately 350-400 million persons infected with chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B infection cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Several treatment options are available for those with chronic infection and treatment can prevent or even reverse the complications of liver disease. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect individuals from getting hepatitis B.