Hepatitis C virus HCV

Hepatitis C virus HCV

            In 1989, the hepatitis C virus (HCV), previously known only as the default virus "non-A, non-B" could be characterized. The particularity of the work done by a team of American society Chiron, is that the viral genome was isolated and sequenced before the virus itself. To do this, a database of all DNA and RNA in the plasma of infected monkeys was established and vetted with the serum of a patient with hepatitis C. The antibodies of the subject have recognized a first fragment of RNA, which, used as a probe, then

led, step by step, the identification of all the overlapping fragments making up the genome of HCV.

           The genome consists of a single-stranded RNA of 10 kbases and encodes eight viral proteins that were used in 1989 to develop serological tests. These tests used in France since 1 March 1990, allow circuits to exclude blood donation contaminated biological products. They also revealed a significant and unexpected prevalence of HCV, especially among hemophiliacs, transfusion and drug addicts.

         Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting mainly the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to liver damage and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is usually visible after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will develop liver failure, liver cancer or life threatening esophageal varices and gastric.

        HCV is transmitted primarily through blood to blood associated with the use of intravenous drugs, improperly sterilized medical equipment and transfusions. Estimated from 130-170000000 people are infected with hepatitis C. The existence of hepatitis C (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") was postulated in the 1970s and proven in 1989. Hepatitis C infects only humans and chimpanzees.

          The virus persists in the liver in about 85% of infected people. This persistent infection can be treated with drugs: the standard treatment is a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin or boceprevir or telaprevir with added in some cases. Overall, 50-80% of those treated are cured. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation, if the virus replicates normally after transplantation. No vaccine against hepatitis C is available.

* Hepatitis c Symptoms

        Hepatitis C causes acute symptoms in 15% of cases.Symptoms are generally mild and vague, including decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, muscle or joint pain, and weight loss. Most acute infections are not associated with jaundice. The infection resolves spontaneously in 10-50% of cases, which is more common in people who are young and women

         Approximately 80% of people exposed to the virus develop chronic infection. More experience minimal or no symptoms in the early decades of the infection soon, although chronic hepatitis C may be associated with fatigue. Hepatitis C after many years become the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 10-30% of people develop cirrhosis over 30 years. Cirrhosis is more common in people co-infected with hepatitis B or HIV, alcoholics and male. Those who develop cirrhosis have a 20 times higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a rate of 1-3% per year, and if it is complicated by alcohol abuse, the risk is 100 times higher. Hepatitis C is the cause of 27% of cirrhosis and 25% of hepatocellular carcinoma in the world.

        Cirrhosis of the liver can lead to portal hypertension, ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen), bruising or bleeding, varices (enlarged veins, especially in the stomach and esophagus), jaundice, and a syndrome of cognitive impairment known as hepatic encephalopathy. It is a common cause to require a liver transplant.

* Treatment and Medications:

       HCV causes chronic infection in 50-80% of infected persons. Approximately 40-80% of these obvious with treatment. In rare cases, the infection may clear without treatment. Those who have chronic hepatitis C is recommended to avoid alcohol and drugs toxic to the liver and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Ultrasound monitoring Hepatocellular carcinoma is recommended cirrhosis accompanying

     In general, treatment is recommended for people affected by HCV infection liver abnormalities. In 2010, the treatment consists of a combination of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin antiviral medication for a period of 24 or 48 weeks, depending on the HCV genotype. When combined with ribavirin, pegylated interferon alpha-2a may be higher with pegylated interferon alpha-2b, if the evidence is not strong. The improved results are observed in 50-60% of people. The boceprevir or telaprevir or combination with ribavirin and peginterferon alfa improves the antiviral response to hepatitis C genotype 1. The side effects are common with treatment, half of the people getting flu symptoms and third emotional problems. Treatment during the first six months is more effective than both hepatitis C has become chronic. If someone develops a new infection and it has not disappeared after eight to twelve weeks, 24 weeks of pegylated interferon is recommended. In people with thalassemia, ribavirin appears to be useful but increases the need for transfusions.

    And there are other treatments used by some doctors of traditional medicine, but did not prove their worth and not scientifically proven, so these therapeutic methods become useless, and may causes other health risks.