Volume 18 Issue 3, March 2021

Progress towards hepatitis B virus (HBV) elimination targets remains slow, despite efforts to support enhanced prevention, diagnosis and treatment. On the basis of insights from interventions against HIV, we argue for the wider use of antiviral therapy for HBV, highlighting the potential public health benefits in preventing liver disease and reducing transmission.

Chronic liver injury leads to liver inflammation and fibrosis, through which activated myofibroblasts in the liver secrete extracellular matrix proteins that generate the fibrous scar. This Review summarizes studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis and its reversibility.

The common end stage of liver disease is decompensated cirrhosis and the further development towards acute-on-chronic liver failure. In this Review, the authors discuss the possible pathogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic role of the gut microbiota in decompensation of cirrhosis and progression to acute-on-chronic liver failure.

A gluten-free diet is currently the only effective treatment for coeliac disease but an increased understanding of disease pathogenesis has led to the identification of several potential therapeutic targets. This Review provides a broad overview of current and emerging therapies for coeliac disease.

Although fermented foods have been consumed for thousands of years, a clear definition has been lacking. This Consensus Statement outlines a definition for the term ‘fermented foods’ as determined by an expert panel convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics in September 2019.