title: Hepatitis C: an update.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. While current therapeutic options for hepatitis C are limited, recent progress in the understanding of the biology of HCV led to the identification of novel targets for antiviral intervention. In addition, molecular and immunotherapeutic strategies to inhibit HCV replication or gene expression and to enhance the cellular immune response against HCV are being explored. These and other novel antiviral strategies may eventually complement existing therapeutic modalities. Here, we briefly review current concepts of the epidemiology, molecular virology, pathogenesis, natural history, diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moradpour
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerny
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Heim
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents