Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1994 Proceedings of the International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease: Molecules Today, More Cures Tomorrow, Tokyo, May 10-14, 1993 (1993 ISVHLD)

A series of international symposia on viral hepatitis and liver disease has been held triannially, and called the "Olympics" of this research field. Our book presents the results of the eighth of these "Olympiads" which for the first time, was held in Asia (May 1993, Tokyo). Due to the rapid progress in research on both basic and clinical aspects of viral hepatitis and liver disease, the state of the art in this field is continually being updated, and our book provides a broad and in-depth survey of current work. The major topics in our book include molecular biology of the five known hepatitis viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV), clinical implications of genetic variants of HBV and HCV, interferon treatment of HCV-related liver disease, and worldwide epidemiology and control of viral hepatitis. New subjects not seen in previous books, such as genotypes of HCV, are also covered. Expanding knowledge about the heterogeneity of the HCV genome has revealed a great variety of genotypes as well as their association with host pathogenesis and their varying responsiveness to interferon therapy. The first promising results of efforts to develop a hepatitis C vaccine are also presented. Finally, compared with its predecessors, our book contains many more papers from Asian countries, where the prevalence of viral hepatitis and liver disease is the highest in the world.

Prologue: how far have we come?.- What a dumb way to designate germs.- Recollections of a hepatitis investigator: 1940–1993.- The hepatitis viruses: accomplishments and problems.- How far have we come, and where are we going? 3 years after 1990.- How far have we come and where are we going?: pathogen-oriented prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan in 1993.- Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, & E.- 1. Perspectives.- The hepatitis viruses: an overview.- Recent advances in understanding the molecular virology of hepatoviruses: contrasts and comparisons with hepatitis C virus.- Hepatocarcinogenic mechanisms in hepadnavirus-infected hosts.- The hepatitis C virus: genetic organization, persistence, and vaccine strategies.- The molecular biology of hepatitis delta virus: recent advances.- Molecular and serological characteristics of hepatitis E virus.- 2. Taxonomy.- Classification and taxonomy of hepatitis viruses: summary of a Workshop.- Taxonomic classification of hepatitis A virus.- Classification and taxonomy of the hepadnaviruses: current status.- Derivation of a rational nomenclature for hepatitis C virus by phylogenetic analysis of the NS-5 region.- The taxonomy of hepatitis delta virus.- Hepatitis E virus: some characteristics relevant to virus classification.- New hepatitis virus(es)?.- New agent(s) to cause hepatitis?: summary of a Specialty Session.- Candidate hepatitis F virus in sporadic non-A, non-B acute liver failure: exclusion in liver of hepatitis viruses A, E, C and B by polymerase chain reaction.- Non-A, non-B, non-C, non-E acute hepatitis: does it really exist?.- Clinical and laboratory features of acute community-acquired non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis.- Chronic non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis in French blood donors assessed with HCV third-generation tests and polymerase chain reaction.- Evidence for parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E hepatitis in Russia.- Biology.- Molecular biology of hepatitis B virus.- Expression of defective hepatitis B (HBV)-DNA, synthesized from a singly spliced HBV-RNA, leads to cytoplasmic accumulation of capsid and X proteins.- Methods for the purification of enzymatically active reverse transcriptase of duck hepatitis B virus.- Some aspects of hepatitis C virus: a review and a hypothesis.- In vivo and in vitro replication, expression, processing, and assembly of hepatitis C virus: summary of a Speciality Session.- Molecular biology of pestiviruses and comparison with HCV.- Virus-like particles in the liver of an owl monkey inoculated with hepatitis C virus.- Useful markers for predicting in vivo infectivity of hepatitis C virus.- HCV-specific translation initiation.- Translation initiation mechanism on hepatitis C virus RNA.- Mapping of the internal ribosome entry site at the 5? end of the hepatitis C virus genome.- Secondary structure and protein-binding activities of the 5? nontranslated region of the hepatitis C virus genome.- Hepatitis C virus polyprotein processing.- Processing mechanisms of nonstructural proteins of hepatitis C virus.- Immunoelectron microscopic localization of processed core protein of hepatitis C virus in COS cells.- The physical state of the negative strand of hepatitis C virus RNA in serum.- Immunology and pathogenesis.- 1. Immunopathogenesis.- Cellular immune responses to hepatitis viruses: summary of a Specialty Session.- Studies of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in tamarins with acute hepatitis A virus infection.- Adoptive transfer of immunity to hepatitis B through bone marrow transplantation from immunized donors.- Peptide recognition and competition, T cell receptor usage, and HLA restriction elements of T cell clones specific to a determinant of hepatitis B virus core and e antigens in chronic type B hepatitis.- A method to detect hepatitis B virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection.- The role of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes response in hepatitis B virus immunobiology and pathogenesis.- Variable region usage in T lymphocytes infiltrating liver tissues of chronic liver diseases.- In vitro immune responses specific for NS3 regional peptide (C7) and core regional peptide (C11) of HCV in chronic hepatitis C.- Recognition of hepatitis C virus nucleocapsid protein-derived peptides by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.- Hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes restricted by HLA-A2 are present in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C.- In vitro studies on the effects of hepatitis C virus on hemopoiesis.- Pathobiology of fulminant hepatitis.- 2. Hepatitis C Virus and Autoimmunity.- Autoimmune hepatitis.- HCV in autoimmune and extrahepatic syndromes: synopsis of a Specialty Session.- Mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cryoglobulinemia in patients with chronic hapatitis C and other causes of chronic liver diseases.- Clinical, immunological, and virological features of HCV-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.- Is hepatitis C virus infection a trigger of porphyria cutanea tarda?.- Contribution of hepatitis C virus infection to the development of Sjögren’s syndrome in Japan.- Reactivity of sera from Japanese patients with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis to peptides derived from host genes, cytochrome HLD8-2 and GOR.- Genetic variation of hepatitis viruses.- 1. HBV.- The meanings of mutations in and around pre-C/C and pre-S/S regions of HBV: summary of a Specialty Session.- Genetic and biological characterization of two hapatitis B virus variants: a precore mutant implicated in fulminant hepatitis and a surface mutant resistant to immunoprophylaxis.- Vaccine-associated mutants of hepatitis B virus.- A novel antibody escape variant (Ala 144) of hepatitis B virus in an identical twin before selection in the mother.- Hepatitis B virus variants with altered a determinants causing infections in immunized children.- Hepatitis B virus precore mutants.- Wild-type and HBeAg-minus HBV fluctuations: cause or effect of chronic hepatitis B pathogenic mechanisms?.- Nucleotide sequence analysis of the precore region in patients with fulminant hepatitis B in the USA.- Base pairing in the pregenome encapsidation signal of HBV: a clue for the prevalence of naturally occurring HBeAg-minus precore mutations.- Core protein evolution after selection of hepatitis B precore mutants and correlation with disease severity.- Mutations in the core nucleotide sequence of hepatitis B virus correlate with severe liver damage.- 2. HCV.- Diversity of the classification and nomenclature systems for hepatitis C virus genotypes: a proposed solution to the present confusion.- The molecular diversity of hepatitis C virus and its clinical significance: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- Molecular evolutionary classification of hepatitis C viruses and their divergence times.- Sequence analysis of the 5? noncoding region reveals the existence of multiple hepatitis C virus genotypes in Quebec, Canada.- Hepatitis C virus genotypes: an investigation of type-specific differences in geographic origin and disease.- A distinct genetic group of hepatitis C virus circulating within the former Soviet Union.- Sequence analysis of hepatitis C virus obtained from Indonesian patients and identification of novel sequence variants.- Low prevalence of anti-El antibodies reactive to recombinant type 1b E1 envelope protein in type 2,3, and 4 HCV sera, but high prevalence in subtypes 1a and 1b.- The use of a line probe assay as a tool to detect new types or subtypes of the hapatitis C virus.- Distinct subtypes of hepatitis C virus defined by antibodies directed to the putative core, NS4, and NS5 region polypeptides.- Sequencing and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 2.- Hepatitis C virus hypervariable region may confer escape from immunosurveillance.- Diagnosis.- 1. HCV.- New methods for HCV diagnosis: summary of a Specialty Session.- Current and future status of hepatitis C virus diagnosis: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- Antibody profile of blood donors infected with hepatitis C virus.- Recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides containing antigenic epitopes of the hepatitis C virus proteins and development of a new diagnostic test format.- Earlier detection of anti-HCV seroconversion in post-transfusion NANBH by a prototype HCV 3.0 ELISA.- Blood screening for asymptomatic hepatitis C virus carriers with second-generation hepatitis C virus antibody assays.- An automated diagnostic assay for HCV.- Replicative level of HCV determined by the competitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction assay in various stages of chronic HCV infection.- Three-band nested double PCR for semiquantitation of hepatitis C virus in donated blood: comparison with antibody and alanine aminotransferase level.- 2. HEV.- Diagnosis and epidemiology of HEV: summary of a Specialty Session.- Assay development of diagnostic tests for hepatitis E.- Recombinant antigens and synthetic peptides for serodiagnosis of Hepatitis E virus infection.- Hepatitis E among refugees in Kenya: minimal apparent person-to-person transmission, evidence for age-dependent disease expression, and new serologic assays.- Epidemiology.- 1. Global Perspectives.- Viral hepatitis In Africa In The 90s: facing realities.- Viral hepatitis in Asia: summary of a plenary session.- Hepatitis in the South Pacific.- Global perspective of viral hepatitis and liver disease: the Western Pacific.- Hepatitis in Indonesia.- Viral hepatitis in India.- Viral hepatitis In the Philippines: a perspective.- Perspective of viral hepatitis in Thailand.- Etiology of chronic Liver Disease In Nepal.- Epidemiology of hepatitis e virus (HEV): a cohort study in Kathmandu, Nepal.- Epidemiology of hepatitis B and C in China.- Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Nanjing, southern China.- Viral hepatitis in Taiwan: status in the 1990s.- Relative etiologic role of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in chronic liver diseases among age-specific groups in Korea.- Viral hepatitis in Japan.- Viral hepatitis in the former Soviet Union.- A seroprevalence study of hepatitis E in Europe and the Middle East.- Perspectives on viral hepatitis elimination in Europe.- Viral hepatitis in North America.- 2. Mode of Transmission.- Transmission patterns in hepatitis C virus infection.- Hepatitis C virus infections in U.S. families.- Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus.- Transmission of hepatitis C virus through needlestick accidents in health care workers.- HCV-positive, HIV-1-negative mothers transmit HCV.- Prospective study of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus.- Serial follow-up of hepatitis C virus RNA and antibody in infants born to hepatitis C virus positive but human immunodeficiency virus negative mothers.- Mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus: a prospective study.- 3. High-Risk Groups.- Hepatitis C virus infection in health care workers.- Evidence of HCV infection by means of RIBA in a population of drug abusers.- Serological response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in serial bleeds from hemodialysis patients.- Hepatitis C virus RNA in anti-HCV-positive hemodialyzed patients: significance and therapeutic implications.- Hepatitis C after kidney transplantation.- Prevention.- 1. Overviews.- Prevention.- Strategies for the development of hepatitis C and E vaccine: summary of a Breakfast Workshop.- New hepatitis A and B vaccines: summary of a Specialty Session.- A new vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis A: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- Toward zero occurrence of post-transfusion hepatitis: summary of a Specialty Session.- 2. Vaccine.- Hepatitis A vaccine development in Japan.- Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in healthy adults.- Prevention of hepatitis B infection.- Prevention of hepatitis B in Asia.- Implementation of hepatitis B virus vaccination in Latin America: current and future perspective of a global action.- The immunogenicity and reactogenicity of combined tetravalent diphteria, tetanus, pertussis and hepatitis B vaccine in infants.- Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus and its prevention in Japan.- Clinical trial of a preS2-containing recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.- The use of a preS2-containing recombinant vaccine for the prevention of maternal transmission of hepatitis B virus in Indonesian neonates.- Clinical experience with the preSl-containing hepatitis B vaccine (HG-3) in different non responder groups.- Immunogenicity of a mammalian cell-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing preS2 and preS1 antigens: a preliminary report.- Vaccination of hepatitis E virus.- 3. Post-Transfusion Hepatitis.- Posttransfusion hepatitis in the United States.- Prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis in Japan.- Transfusion-associated hepatitis (TAH) in polytransfused thalassemic children following the introduction of anti-HCV donor screening in Sardinia.- Effect of donor blood screening for anti-HCV antibody by the second-generation passive hemagglutination test on the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis.- Hepatitis C viremia and serologic profile in post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis.- Presence of detectable HCV-RNA in the absence of positive HCV serology in blood donors infected with HTLV-I/II.- Detection and quantitation of HCV-RNA in immune globulins produced by Cohn-Oncley fractionation of human plasma.- Immunoglobulin safety related to testing for antibody to hepatitis C virus.- Treatment.- 1. Interferon.- Cytokines in the treatment of human diseases: introduction and summary of a Plenary Session.- Cytokines in the treatment of human disease: the interferon system—from the laboratory to the clinic.- Basic research and clinical application of natural interferon-ß: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- Treatment of hepatitis C with interferon: mechanism of action of interferon.- A randomized, controlled trial of interferon-ß treatment for acute hepatitis C.- Outcome of acute hepatitis C and role of alpha interferon therapy.- Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon-?.- Changes in levels of HCV-RNA and hepatitis C viral antigen associated with interferon- alpha therapy of chronic hepatitis C.- Predictors of alpha interferon response in patients with chronic hepatitis C.- High virus titer, slow virus decrease, genotype II, and sequence variability of E2/NS1 HVR predict poor response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.- More reasons for hope in the therapy of chronic hepatitis C.- Breakthrough in chronic hepatitis C during recombinant alpha interferon therapy.- Hepatitis C viral RNA and hepatic cytokine expression in chronic hepatitis C: effects of alpha interferon therapy.- Relationship between serum 2-5AS activity and the reduction of HCV-RNA during interferon therapy.- Long-term histologic improvement and persistent HCV replication in patients with chronic hepatitis C having responded to recombinant alpha interferon.- Interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C and liver histology.- Ribavirin or alpha interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C: assessment of antiviral efficacy.- 2. Others.- Non-interferon treatment of viral hepatitis: addendum to a summary of a Breakfast Workshop.- Effect of the polysaccharide Sizofiran, an immunotherapeutic agent, on HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis.- Clinical effect of an immunostimulant agent, propagermanium, in chronic hepatitis B.- Experience in Germany with glycyrrhizinic acid for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis.- Therapeutic approach to the chronic active liver disease: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- Hepatocellular carcinoma.- 1. Overviews.- Current issues in hepatocellular carcinoma: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and the p53 tumor suppressor gene: summary of a Plenary Session 5.- Viral hepatocarcinogenesis: addendum to a summary of a Breakfast Workshop.- Type C hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma: summary of a Specialty Session.- Virus and host genes in HCC: summary of a Specialty Session.- Chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma: summary of a Satellite Symposium.- 2. Epidemiology.- Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma.- Hepatitis B and C virus infections in hepatocellular carcinoma and their prevention.- Chronological changes of hepatitis B and C virus markers in Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.- Hepatitis B and C in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil.- Association between hepatitis B and C virus infection and Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study.- A study of the prevalence of anti-HCV in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis.- Antibody pattern of HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in Italy: a case control study.- Hepatitis C virus infection and replication in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.- Close correlation between the rate of mortality due to hepatocellular carcinoma and the carrier rate of HCV, especially HCV genotype II (or 1b).- Type C hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.- 3. Carcinogenesis.- Mechanisms of activation of cellular gene expression by integrated HBV-DNA.- The role of integrated hepadnavirus sequences in hepatocellular carcinoma.- Analysis of HBV integration sites in liver tumors without accompanying cirrhosis.- Integrated viral sequences may contribute in cis and in trans to hepatocarcinogenesis in woodchuck hepatitis virus-infected woodchucks.- Mitogenic activity of hepatitis B virus HBx gene in vivo and in vitro.- Dual control of human hepatitis B virus X protein.- The AP1 transcription factor as a model to study the modulation of intracellular signalling pathways by the hepatitis B virus transactivator pX.- Contribution of HBV X gene expression to hepatic carcinogenesis.- Rate of persistence, structure, and expression of HBV genome in HCC developing in HBsAg-negative patients.- Loss of tumor suppressor genes in HCC in Japan and Australia.- Duck hepatocellular carcinoma from a high incidence area: analysis for duck hepatitis B virus infection and p53 mutation.- 4. Diagnosis and Treatment.- Image diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.- Noninvasive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.- Epilogue.- 1. Where are we going?.- Where are we going?—Toward continued victory over viruses.- From here to 1996.- Jazz and all that HCV: “From Molecules to More Cures”.- 2. Appendix.- Something perhaps unique to the 1993ISVHLD: statistics and acknowledgments.- Indices.- 1. Author Index.- 2. Key Word Index.