Hepatitis

Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) occurs due to damage and destruction of the liver cells, the so-called hepatocytes. The causes of hepatitis are varied: injury (e.g. liver contusion), medication, drugs, metabolic and autoimmune diseases or pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Viral hepatitis, which is caused by viruses, is a major public health threat and one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with an annual mortality rate comparable to other major infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.1,2 Since the discovery of the first specific biomarker for viral hepatitis in 1963, hepatology has become a priority area.3 Progress has been made - including the development of vaccines and cures - but viral hepatitis remains a global health burden, with many cases of acute and chronic infection showing no or only mild flu-like symptoms.1

Today, an estimated 90% of the 354 million people worldwide living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unaware of their disease.1 In Switzerland, an estimated 90,000 people live with chronic HBV or HCV infection, and many affected people are usually unaware of their infection.4,5 These viruses not only cause short-term (acute) infections, but often become persistent (chronic) and eventually lead to more serious and life-threatening conditions, such as cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue), liver cancer and liver failure.1