Hepatitis B virus is a globally widespread infection that primarily targets the liver and can lead to chronic disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains the unique biology of this DNA virus, including its unusual replication strategy involving reverse transcription and its ability to persist in cells as a stable mini-chromosome. The discussion covers how the virus is transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child, as well as typical symptoms ranging from mild illness to jaundice and, in rare cases, liver failure. While most adults clear the infection, chronic infections are common in infants and can have severe long-term consequences, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The episode also highlights the role of hepatitis D as a satellite virus that worsens disease outcomes, current treatment limitations, and the development of highly effective vaccines that can prevent infection and even reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Links to papers about hepatitis B from ancient times:

CDC information about hepatitis B: https://www.cdc.gov/global-hepatitis-b-vaccination/data-research/index.html