Hepatitis C virus infection and liver disease.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a RNA virus that lacks the retroviral properties of surviving in infected hosts by integration into cellular DNA, nevertheless it is capable to cause chronic infection and disease in a considerable number of infected individuals (30-70% of cases). This results in a worldwide prevalence of chronic HCV carriers similar to those of hepatitis B virus carriers. We review and discuss here some of the peculiar aspects of chronic HCV infection and associated disease.
Bonino
F
F
Department of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Torino.
Oliveri
F
F
Colombatto
P
P
Calvo
P L
PL
Brunetto
M R
MR
D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology