The Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

BACKGROUNDThe natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is variable and factors determining the course of the illness are unclear. AIMSTo determine the natural course of HCV infection in a well characterised group of patients 18 years after an epidemic outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis at a plasmapheresis centre.METHODSBetween 1994 and 1996, 20 of 30 affected individuals were studied. HCV infection was confirmed using second and third generation ELISA test kits. HCV RNA was detected by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and HCV genotyping was performed by analysing amplicons from the conserved 5′-non-translated region generated by nested PCR. Thirty two liver biopsies were carried out in 14 patients.RESULTSHCV antibodies were detected in all subjects. Eighteen patients had abnormal liver enzymes and 17 were HCV RNA positive, all of whom were infected with genotype 1a. Ninety per cent of this cohort showed evidence of chronic HCV infection with 50% having progressive liver disease and 20% cirrhosis 18 years after acute onset of non-A, non-B hepatitis. Considerable variation in disease outcome occurred between individuals and no correlation with clinical features of the acute illness was found.CONCLUSIONSVariability in the consequences of HCV infection in cases infected with the same virus suggests that host factors are important in determining disease outcome. The factors which determine differences in the natural history of the disease still remain to be elucidated.

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The Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Hemophiliacs

Hematology ◽

10.1080/10245332.2001.11746564 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 135-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Franchini ◽

A. Tagliaferri ◽

G. Rossetti ◽

F. Capra ◽

E. De Maria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽

History Of

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Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus among Apparently Normal Schoolchildren: Follow‐up after 7 Years

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics ◽

10.1093/tropej/49.6.384 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 384-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Azza El‐Sherbini ◽

Wafaa Hassan ◽

Mohamad Abdel‐Hamid ◽

Ahmad Naeim

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

History Of

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Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Children

Viral Hepatitis in Children ◽

10.1007/978-981-13-0050-9_11 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 157-162

Author(s):

Nicole Green ◽

Karen F. Murray

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽

History Of

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Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection. A case-control study of blood donors in the Trent Region (UK)

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268800051293 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 112 (3) ◽

pp. 595-601 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

K. R. Neal ◽

D. A. Jones ◽

D. Killey ◽

V. James

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

History Of ◽

Control Study

SUMMARYThe introduction of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the National Blood Transfusion Service identified donors who had acquired HCV infection. We undertook a case-control study amongst blood donors in the Trent Region to determine risks for HCV infection. A total of 74 blood donors confirmed positive for hepatitis C infection and 150 age, sex and donor venue matched controls were included in the study. Fifty-three percent of hepatitis C infected blood donors reported previous use of injected drugs compared to no controls; relative risk (RR) not estimatable (lower limit 95% CI = 20). Other risk factors were a history of: receipt of a blood transfusion or blood products RR = 3·6 (95% CI 1·5–8·3), having been a ‘health care worker’ RR = 2·8 (95% CI 1·1–7·6), tattooing RR = 3·3 (95% CI 1·2–8·7), and an association with having been born abroad RR = 3·2 (95% CI 1·1–9·5). No risk was shown for a history of multiple sexual partners, ear piercing or acupuncture. Injecting drug use explains more than 50% of hepatitis C infections in blood donors, a group who are less likely to have injected drugs than the general population.

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Hepatitis C and HIV Co-Infection

10.1093/med/9780199392742.003.0043 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Cohen Price ◽

Priyanka Amin ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

The United States ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Hepatic Decompensation ◽

History Of ◽

Chronic Hcv ◽

Direct Acting ◽

End Stage ◽

Shared Risk

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Because of shared risk factors, individuals living with HIV infection are disproportionately affected by HCV. Moreover, co-infection with HIV accelerates the natural history of chronic HCV infection, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic decompensation, and death. Highly effective medications such as direct-acting antivirals (DAA) to cure HCV are now available and have the potential to profoundly improve the health of HIV-HCV-co-infected individuals. However, addressing the many gaps in the HCV care cascade is necessary to fully achieve the benefits of these drugs. This chapter reviews the natural history of HIV-HCV co-infection, the psychiatric comorbidities associated with HCV infection, the evolution of HCV treatment, and the barriers to care that HIV-HCV-co-infected individuals continue to face.

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