Replication of hepatitis C virus
R Bartenschlager, V Lohmann - Journal of general …, 2000 - microbiologyresearch.org
Journal of general virology, 2000•microbiologyresearch.org
After the development of diagnostic tests for hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses in the 1970s,
an additional parenterally transmitted agent responsible for the majority of
transfusionassociated non-A, non-B hepatitis cases was recognized. The identification of
this agent turned out to be very difficult and only with the advent of recombinant DNA
technology was it possible to clone the genome of the virus that was termed hepatitis C virus
(HCV)(Choo et al., 1989). Since then HCV has become a focus of intensive research for …
an additional parenterally transmitted agent responsible for the majority of
transfusionassociated non-A, non-B hepatitis cases was recognized. The identification of
this agent turned out to be very difficult and only with the advent of recombinant DNA
technology was it possible to clone the genome of the virus that was termed hepatitis C virus
(HCV)(Choo et al., 1989). Since then HCV has become a focus of intensive research for …
After the development of diagnostic tests for hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses in the 1970s, an additional parenterally transmitted agent responsible for the majority of transfusionassociated non-A, non-B hepatitis cases was recognized. The identification of this agent turned out to be very difficult and only with the advent of recombinant DNA technology was it possible to clone the genome of the virus that was termed hepatitis C virus (HCV)(Choo et al., 1989). Since then HCV has become a focus of intensive research for several reasons (Lavanchy et al., 1999). First, most infections persist, leading in about 50% of all cases to chronic hepatitis, which can develop into chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Second, HCV is distributed worldwide, with the number of infected individuals being estimated to be" 170 million. Third, the only therapy currently available is combination treatment with a high dose of interferon-α (IFN-α) and the nucleoside analogue ribavirin. However, only" 40% of all patients benefit from this treatment and develop a sustained response, demonstrating the urgent need for more effective antiviral therapeutics.
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