Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The initial recommended treatment depends on the type of hepatitis C virus, if the person has received previous hepatitis C treatment, and whether the person has cirrhosis. [88] Direct-acting antivirals are the preferred treatment and have been validated by testing for virus particles in patients' blood.
Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3), also known as p-70, is a viral nonstructural protein that is 70 kDa cleavage product of the hepatitis C virus polyprotein. It acts as a serine protease . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] C-terminal two-thirds of the protein also acts as helicase and nucleoside triphosphatase . [ 3 ]
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) [3] is a small (55–65 nm in size), enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae. The hepatitis C virus is the cause of hepatitis C and some cancers such as liver cancer ( hepatocellular carcinoma , abbreviated HCC) and lymphomas in humans.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. Effective treatments for hepatitis C are available but costly. [6] In 2013, about 1.5 million people died from viral hepatitis, most commonly due to hepatitis B and C. [6] East Asia, in particular Mongolia, is the region most affected. [6]
A hepatitis C vaccine, a vaccine capable of protecting against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is not yet available. Although vaccines exist for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, development of an HCV vaccine has presented challenges. [1] No vaccine is currently available, but several vaccines are currently under development. [2] [3]
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is the causative agent of hepatitis C in humans, and a member of the species Hepacivirus C, was discovered in 1989. [5] Eight genotypes (1–8) and eighty-six subtypes (1a, 1b etc.) of hepatitis C virus have been named.
Chronic hepatitis C progresses towards cirrhosis, with estimates of cirrhosis prevalence of 16% at 20 years after infection. [126] While the major causes of mortality in hepatitis C is end stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma is an important additional long term complication and cause of death in chronic hepatitis.
In those with chronic hepatitis C infection, treatment of the hepatitis C using medications reduces the risk of developing HCC. [6] In the case of patients with cirrhosis, alcohol consumption is to be avoided. Also, screening for hemochromatosis may be beneficial for some patients. [55]