[Characteristics of still unknown hepatotropic viruses and a clinical picture of the disease].

So far seven hepatotropic viruses were identified. They are described by letters A,B,C,D,E, G and TTV. The virus of hepatitis F is so far speculative. Virus of hepatitis A and E are transmitted by the orofaecal route and cause only acute hepatitis. The remaining hepatotropic viruses are transmitted by the parenteral route and have a longer incubation period than viruses A and E. The infection with the virus of hepatitis B develops into the chronic stage in about 10% and that of virus C in 50-90%. At least one third of chronic carriers of the virus of hepatitis B or C develop within 10-20 years liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The objective of therapeutic regimes is eradication of the viruses or at least arrest or retarding of the activity of the disease. Corticoids are not used. The basis of therapeutic regimes is interferon alpha or lamivudine in hepatitis B and interferon alpha with ribavirine in hepatitis C. There is a permanent therapeutic response only in cca 40-50%. Active immunisation is possible against virus of hepatitis A and B. The virus of hepatitis D is a false virus, i.e. a so-called virold, and the cause is a super- or co-infection with the virus of hepatitis B. In this country it is practically not encountered, similarly as the virus of hepatitis E. The assembled findings on virus of hepatitis G are not applied so far very much in practice.