Molecular mechanisms of viral hepatitis induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 6 Natural history of infection with hepatitis B, delta, or C virus. Variations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus RNA, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA, and ALT levels indicated by dashed lines. A: Natural history of chronic Hepatitis B virus infection. There are five phases of infection HBeAg⁺ chronic infection, HBeAg⁺ chronic hepatitis, HBeAg^- chronic infection, and HBeAg^- phase. Each clinical phase is defined by a host immune response with respect to HBV viral activity; B: Natural history of HDV infection in either HBV co-infection or HDV superinfection when the individual is a chronic carrier of HBV; and C: Natural history of Hepatitis C virus infection. There are two main phases of infection acute infection and chronic infection. HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; HDV: Hepatitis delta virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus.