Читать книгу Basic Virology - Martinez J. Hewlett - Страница 79

Diseases of the liver hold a special place in many types of medicine, both because of the important physiological role of this organ and because all circulating blood and lymph pass through the liver frequently. A number of different and unrelated viruses target the liver; these are collectively known as hepatitis viruses. All hepatitis viruses cause liver damage that can be devastating to the infected host. Liver failure due to hepatitis virus infections is a major reason for liver transplantation. Furthermore, a number of these viruses establish persistent carrier states in which virus is present for many months or years following infection. Currently, there are five reasonably well‐characterized human hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, delta (D), and E. The severity of the disease caused and the sequelae vary with each.