Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, which can be classified as acute or chronic depending upon the duration of the condition. Various etiological agents have been correlated with the occurrence of various forms of the disease. The developed countries have a majority of drug-induced and toxic liver injury, while the developing countries like India present with a majority of feco-oral and blood borne transmissions of the disease. Viral hepatitis virtually constitutes a separate etiological group. It causes a set of typical clinical, biochemical, and histological changes with or without icterus resulting from hepatic cell damage. It may be acute or chronic. The acute form causes considerable morbidity and mortality, and the chronic sequelae may prove to be fatal by resulting in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis A and E are transmitted feco-orally, while B and C are transmitted only through blood/secretions. Hepatitis D occurs only in association with hepatitis B. Morphological pattern of liver injury in acute hepatitis varies with etiology and severity of insult. The typical lesion in all forms of acute viral hepatitis is panlobular infiltration with mononuclear cells, predominantly lymphocytes, hepatic cell necrosis, and variable degree of cholestasis, Kupffer cell hyperplasia. In fulminant hepatic failure, massive hepatic necrosis results in a soft shrunken liver. All forms of acute viral hepatitis run similar clinical course, which include incubation period after infection during which they are asymptomatic, followed by prodromal, icteric, and convalescent phases. Extrahepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis include renal, neurological, and hematological disorders. Most patients with acute viral hepatitis recover with supportive management. Hospitalization is required only in severe cases as evidenced by prolonged PT, altered sensorium, deep jaundice with ascites. Identification of etiology of acute hepatitis is of prime importance for the treatment of hepatitis. Definitive therapy is needed in drug-induced hepatitis. Most mild forms of viral hepatitis resolve with supportive treatment. Progressive liver failure mandates urgent liver transplantation. Prognostic models (Kings’ College criteria, Clichy’s criteria) have been developed for early identification of patients who would require liver transplant.

Alcoholic hepatitis involves an acute or chronic inflammation of liver occurring as a consequence of alcohol abuse The pathological changes occur in 3 stages namely, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, with the final stage traditionally considered to be irreversible Alcoholic liver disease is responsible for a significant number of premature deaths per annum all around the globe There is an urgent need to educate the masses about the hazards of alcohol abuse An efficient system to encourage and prolong the period of alcohol abstinence is the need of the hour The importance of lifestyle modifications like weight reduction and cessation of smoking in the progression of liver disease needs to be communicated to the patients and the medical community as well Moreover, realization of the role of nutrition in the management and recovery of ALD would enhance the treatment strategies for this condition This book has been designed to update the readers on the important aspects of ALD and is a step forward to enable the society in combating the social and economic losses that occur as a result of alcohol abuse The book has stressed upon various aspects of ALD like the role of nutrition, epidemiology and pathogenesis, and the possible therapeutic strategies involved Supportive case scenarios have also been incorporated with relevance to the topics covered under the book Overall, the book presents to the readers an excellent compilation of clinically applicable literature sourced from the most acclaimed physicians in the country

Monthly. Papers presented at recent meeting held all over the world by scientific, technical, engineering and medical groups. Sources are meeting programs and abstract publications, as well as questionnaires. Arranged under 17 subject sections, 7 of direct interest to the life scientist. Full programs of meetings listed under sections. Entry gives citation number, paper title, name, mailing address, and any ordering number assigned. Quarterly and annual indexes to subjects, authors, and programs (not available in monthly issues).