Guest Editor: Zhenghong Yuan(Fudan University, China)
Hepatitis viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV) belong to diverse virus families and are transmitted by different routes. Some are enveloped and the genome can be single-stranded RNA or double-stranded DNA. Though HAV and HEV usually cause acute infections, chronic HEV infections have been observed recently. Various mechanisms for persistent infections by HBV or HCV, and their roles leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma have been further explored. Novel data on the molecular biology of hepatitis viruses, antiviral drugs, and new therapeutic targets have been presented regularly. EMI Special Topic - Viral Hepatitis will cover these hepatitis viruses in terms of biology, pathogenesis, immune response, therapy, and prevention, with special emphasis on recent progress.
