Hepatitis A virus: from discovery to vaccines.

摘要: Hepatitis A virus (HAV), the causative agent of type viral hepatitis, is an ancient human that was first identified almost 35 years ago. It has several characteristics make it unique among Picornaviridae, particularly in terms its mechanisms polyprotein processing and virion morphogenesis, which likely contribute to pathobiology. Although efficacious vaccines containing formalin-inactivated produced cell culture have been licensed multiple countries, their use limited by cost considerations. Changes public health sanitation generally increasing standards living are leading a decreasing incidence acute hepatitis worldwide, with result prevalence preexisting immunity adults declining many regions. These changes epidemiology HAV may paradoxically enhance disease burden, as greater numbers individuals become infected at older ages when more be clinically evident, thus providing incentives for vaccine utilization.