For volume 1:
A broad-ranging collection of core techniques for the study of HBV and HDV infections and for the development of therapies to treat them. In this first of two volumes Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, the authors focus on readily reproducible molecular methods for the identification and quantification of viral markers, the detection and impact of viral variants, and the study of the viral life cycle. Each fully tested protocol is described in step-by-step detail by an established expert in the field and includes a background introduction outlining the principle underlying the technique, equipment and reagent lists, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. An accompanying second volume, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, contains user-friendly protocols for the study of host immune responses to infection, in vitro and in vivo models of infection, and the development of antivirals.
For both volumes:
A broad-ranging collection of core techniques for the study of HBV and HDV infections and for the development of therapies to treat them. The first volume Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, the authors focus on readily reproducible molecular methods for the identification and quantification of viral markers, the detection and impact of viral variants, and the study of the viral life cycle. The second volume, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, contains user-friendly protocols for the study of host immune responses to infection, in vitro and in vivo models of infection, and the development of antivirals. Each fully tested protocol is described in step-by-step detail by an established expert in the fieldand includes a background introduction outlining the principle underlying the technique, equipment and reagent lists, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. The set offers both new and experienced investigators an encyclopedic collection of powerful tools for studying HBV and HDV infections, an essential resource for finding new therapies to treat chronically infected patients.

Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, there are still 400 million people, worldwide who are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). For them, the vaccine, as currently applied, has no value. Given the possible consequences of HBV infection, the number of those chronically infected with HBV presents an enormous public health challenge. For example, the major etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is chronic infection with HBV. Although fifth in cancer incidence, worldwide, HCC/liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death. The high mortality as- ciated with HCC arises because the disease is often detected late and is unresponsive to treatment. The number of deaths caused by PHCC is expected to rise over the next 20 years. Those chronically infected with HBV have a life risk of death to HCC of between 10 and 25%. Even the limited efficacy of drugs for the treatment of chronic HBV helps underscore the point that this disease is responsive to therapy. Drugs that target the polymerase (e. g. , hepsera and lamivudine) and interferon alpha represent two distinct strategies and show that both conventional antiviral and immunothe- peutic approaches can be used in management. However, the current inventory of therapeutics is inadequate. Interferon alpha is of limited value, only parenterally ava- able, and fraught with adverse reactions.

For volume 2:
A broad-ranging collection of cutting-edge techniques for the study of HBV and HDV infections and for the development of therapies to treat them. In this second of two volumes, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, the authors focus on protocols for the study of host immune responses to infection, in vitro and in vivo models of infection, and the development of antivirals. Each fully tested protocol is described in step-by-step detail by an established expert in the field and includes a background introduction outlining the principle underlying the technique, equipment and reagent lists, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. An accompanying first volume, Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, contains user-friendly protocols for the identification and quantification of viral markers, the detection and impact of viral variants, and the study of the viral life cycle.
For both volumes:
A broad-ranging collection of core techniques for the study of HBV and HDV infections and for the development of therapies to treat them. The first volume Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, the authors focus on readily reproducible molecular methods for the identification and quantification of viral markers, the detection and impact of viral variants, and the study of the viral life cycle. The second volume, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, contains user-friendly protocols for the study of host immune responses to infection, in vitro and in vivo models of infection, and the development of antivirals. Each fully tested protocol is described in step-by-step detail by an established expert in the field and includes abackground introduction outlining the principle underlying the technique, equipment and reagent lists, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. The set offers both new and experienced investigators an encyclopedic collection of powerful tools for studying HBV and HDV infections, an essential resource for finding new therapies to treat chronically infected patients.

The identification of hepatitis C virus by Michael Houghton and his c- leagues at the Chiron Corporation nearly years ago represented a technical tour de force of modern molecular medicine. This breakthrough not only unearthed the causative agent of non-A non-B hepatitis that had eluded the best of scientists for more than 20 years, but also was symbolic of another chapter in the changing paradigm of modern science and medicine. The re- lutionary concept of identifying a pathogen without actually visualizing or detecting it will forever redefine the way we approach pathogenesis of d- eases whose cause is unknown. It is benefitting that this discovery treads on the heels of the human immunodeficiency pandemic, and parallels the ala- ing emergence of various microbial pestilences in the world. Despite the rapid advances in our understanding of the virus, there is much remaining to learn about it. This book highlights some of the important areas yet to be unraveled. As illustrated in this book, the marriage between basic science and clinical medicine is essential in our quest for these unknowns. The last decade has focused on the fundamentals of the virus; the next decade must underscore translational research, bridging clinical medicine and basic science with re- ization of fundamental knowledge to improve prevention, diagnosis, and tre- ment of viral hepatitis C.