Infections of the liver and biliary system are not uncommon, while most of the infections are viral in nature. Globally, viral hepatitis is a major public health problem and parallels infections such as HIV and tuberculosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid advances have been made with HCV therapy at a time when the community focus has shifted to global elimination. This issue highlights some of the areas of considerable advances and challenges in viral hepatitis B and C. In addition, Hepatitis E is resurfacing as an infection of significance, particularly in the Western World where there is a prevalence of chronic infections. Gastroenterologists and hepatologists often think of viral hepatitis as the sole cause of hepatic infections, but there are other infections caused to bacteria, fungi and parasites; this issue highlights these infections as well. Articles are devoted to the following topics: Global epidemiology of viral hepatitis; Update on diagnostics in viral hapatitis; Heptatitis B: Immunization and impact on natural history and cancer incidence; Heptatitis B: Current status of therapy and future therapies; Hepatitis Delta: Prevalence, natural history, and treatment options; Hepatitis C: How good is real-life data and do generics work: Hepatitis C: Does successful treatment alter the natural history and quality of life; Hepatitis E: Epidemiology,clinical course, prevention, and treatment; CMV and EBV infections of the liver; Extrahepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis; Pyogenic and amebic infections of the liver; and Fungal and parasitic infections of the liver.

Infections of the liver and biliary system are not uncommon, while most of the infections are viral in nature. Globally, viral hepatitis is a major public health problem and parallels infections such as HIV and tuberculosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid advances have been made with HCV therapy at a time when the community focus has shifted to global elimination. This issue highlights some of the areas of considerable advances and challenges in viral hepatitis B and C. In addition, Hepatitis E is resurfacing as an infection of significance, particularly in the Western World where there is a prevalence of chronic infections. Gastroenterologists and hepatologists often think of viral hepatitis as the sole cause of hepatic infections, but there are other infections caused to bacteria, fungi and parasites; this issue highlights these infections as well. Articles are devoted to the following topics: Global epidemiology of viral hepatitis; Update on diagnostics in viral hapatitis; Heptatitis B: Immunization and impact on natural history and cancer incidence; Heptatitis B: Current status of therapy and future therapies; Hepatitis Delta: Prevalence, natural history, and treatment options; Hepatitis C: How good is real-life data and do generics work: Hepatitis C: Does successful treatment alter the natural history and quality of life; Hepatitis E: Epidemiology, clinical course, prevention, and treatment; CMV and EBV infections of the liver; Extrahepatic manifestations of viral hepatitis; Pyogenic and amebic infections of the liver; and Fungal and parasitic infections of the liver

In consultation with Consulting Editor, Dr. Alan Buchman, Dr. Stanley J. Naides has put together a state-of the-art issue of the Gastroenterology Clinics of North America devoted to Laboratory Monitoring of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disease. Clinical review articles from expert authors are specifically devoted to the following: Inborn Errors of Metabolism and the GI track; Primary Immunodeficiency and the gut; Liver fibrosis determination; IBD; Autoimmune liver disease diagnosis and classification; Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral hepatitis; IgG4-RD with Emphasis on its GI Manifestation; Bowel Microbiome in Health and Disease; AAV System; and Celiac Disease. Readers will come away with the latest information they need to diagnose and monitor patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disease.

Together with Consulting Editor Dr. Alan Buchman, Drs. Arun J. Sanyal and Mohammad Siddiqui have put together a comprehensive issue devoted to fatty liver disease for the gastroenterologist. Expert authors have contributed clinical review articles on the following topics: Burden of disease due to NAFLD; Genetic risk factors and disease modifiers of NASH; How to identify the patient with NASH who will progress to cirrhosis; Similarities and Differences between cirrhosis due to NASH versus other etiologies; Impications of NASH as the etiology of end stage liver disease prior to and after liver transplantation; Why do lifestyle recommendations fail in most patients; Rational nutritional therapeutics for NAFLD; Recruitment and retention strategies in long-term trials for NASH; Managing extrahepatic comorbidities in NAFLD; The current status of noninvasive tools for the assessment of NAFLD; and Pharmacological Treatment strategies for NASH. Readers will come away with the information they need to improve outcomes in patients with fatty liver disease.

Together with Consulting Editor Dr. Alan Buchman, Drs. Arun J. Sanyal and Mohammad Siddiqui have put together a comprehensive issue devoted to fatty liver disease for the gastroenterologist. Expert authors have contributed clinical review articles on the following topics: Burden of disease due to NAFLD; Genetic risk factors and disease modifiers of NASH; How to identify the patient with NASH who will progress to cirrhosis; Similarities and Differences between cirrhosis due to NASH versus other etiologies; Impications of NASH as the etiology of end stage liver disease prior to and after liver transplantation; Why do lifestyle recommendations fail in most patients; Rational nutritional therapeutics for NAFLD; Recruitment and retention strategies in long-term trials for NASH; Managing extrahepatic comorbidities in NAFLD; The current status of noninvasive tools for the assessment of NAFLD; and Pharmacological Treatment strategies for NASH. Readers will come away with the information they need to improve outcomes in patients with fatty liver disease.

Diseases of the Liver and Biliary System continues to be the pre-eminent textbook of choice for trainee as well as practising gastroenterologists who want a clear and lucid description of the very latest issues in this growing discipline. Every chapter has been updated with the most recent advances in the study and control of hepatitis, in its various forms. Technical and therapeutic advances have appeared in all areas of hepatology, in particular portal hypertension, liver tumours, genetic diseases and imaging, both diagnostic and therapeutic. All are brought up-to-date in the very readable style characteristic of this standard text.