Relationship between HBV genotypes and anti-viral therapeutic efficacy of interferon-alpha.

Background: Much evidence demonstrates that the genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) present differences in pathogenicity and outcomes owing to differences in genetic structure. This study aimed to investigate the influences of HBV genotypes on the anti-viral therapeutic efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in chronic hepatitis B patients, and to determine the relationship between HBV genotypes and levels of viral replication or gene variations.

Methods: The chronic hepatitis B patients who were treated with IFN-alpha were selected randomly.

[The application of GIS to environmental health informatics].

In order to improve the management of environment and human health, this paper presented the new concept of human health, and developed the environmental health informatics. Its features, structure and major approach for application have been summarized. The future development of environmental health informatics was discussed.