Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Diagnosis and Therapeutics (Clinical Gastroenterology) 2nd edition
Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Diagnosis and Therapeutics (Clinical Gastroenterology) 2nd edition by Kirti Shetty & George Y. Wu is another valuable guide to the proper care of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. One may wonder whether this new book simply adds to the plethora of books on chronic viral hepatitis and may wonder what its shelf life will be in an era of electronic information. But this comprehensive overview has a very practical and down-to-earth perspective that should appeal to a wide audience. The book starts with a concise, clinically oriented introduction on the molecular virology of both viruses, followed by a brief but complete discussion of their epidemiology and natural history. The real strength of the book is a number of chapters devoted to practical aspects of the management of chronic viral hepatitis. These chapters cover not only general, up-to-date guidelines for therapy, but also the development of individualized therapeutic plans, the medical support of patients during treatment, and the care of patients who have coexisting extrahepatic illnesses or who are pregnant.
The book ends with a chapter on prophylaxis against viral hepatitis, written by R.S. Koff, a long-standing champion of vaccination campaigns. The chapter starts with a thorough discussion of the measures aimed at decreasing exposure to these blood-borne agents. It then deals with different strategies for passive and active immunoprophylaxis, underlining how one decade of mass vaccination against HBV in Taiwan was sufficient to decrease the incidence of primary liver cancer, making this vaccine the first one to be effective in preventing a human tumor. This optimism, however, is dimmed by the persistent difficulties involved in developing an effective vaccine against HCV. Alternative approaches are under consideration, but it will be some time before we can claim victory.
Book Details
The book ends with a chapter on prophylaxis against viral hepatitis, written by R.S. Koff, a long-standing champion of vaccination campaigns. The chapter starts with a thorough discussion of the measures aimed at decreasing exposure to these blood-borne agents. It then deals with different strategies for passive and active immunoprophylaxis, underlining how one decade of mass vaccination against HBV in Taiwan was sufficient to decrease the incidence of primary liver cancer, making this vaccine the first one to be effective in preventing a human tumor. This optimism, however, is dimmed by the persistent difficulties involved in developing an effective vaccine against HCV. Alternative approaches are under consideration, but it will be some time before we can claim victory.
Book Details
- Hardcover: 504 pages
- Publisher: Humana Press; 2nd edition (September 21, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1934115819
- ISBN-13: 978-1934115817
- List Price: $139.00
