Leading international virologists review the state-of-the-art in the biology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of the hepatitis viruses. The authorities writing here examine the five well-recognized hepatitis viruses, A through E, and some of the newer agents, the so-called non- A E hepatitis viruses. They also provide in-depth discussions of the biological nature of the viruses, the pathogenesis of the acute and chronic diseases they cause, the methods and ease with which they are transmitted, and their clinical signs and symptoms. Additional topics include diagnostic tests and routine blood screening, new vaccines, and the use of interferon and antiviral drugs. Viral Hepatitis: Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prevention provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the hepatitis viruses currently available