Progress in Drug Research

Wang, Q.May; Heinz, Beverly A.; Glasel, Jay A.; Reyes, Gerlie C.de los; Koda, Robert T.; Lien, Eric J.; Vedani, Angelo; Dobler, Max; Keifer, Paul A.; Mendelsohn, Laurane G.; Gupta, Satya P.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1989 as the etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis [1] and is currently recognized as the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In contrast to hepatitis B virus infection, in which only about 5% of adult infections become chronic, more than 80% of HCV-infected patients develop chronic hepatitis. Moreover, 20-50% of those persistently infected with HCV will develop liver cirrhosis and hepatocellu­ lar carcinoma (HCC) [2]. It is estimated that there are 10,000 deaths in the USA per year due to chronic liver failure or HCC [3]. In addition, HCV dis­ 25-50% of all liver transplants in US centers, and the ease is responsible for recurrence of HCV infection following liver transplantation is universal [4]. Typically, HCV disease emerges after a 10-20 year period during which symp­ toms, if they exist at all, are mild and non-specific. Although the prevalence varies greatly among different countries, it has been estimated that up to 170 million people (3% of the world's population), are infected with HCV [5]. A recent study in the USA found that 65% of all HCV-infected persons are 30 to 49 years old [6].

Details

Published by: Birkhäuser

Publication Date: 2012-10-30

Format: Paperback

ISBN-10: 9783034895446

ISBN-13: 9783034895446

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-8385-6

Dimensions: 254cm x178cm

Pages: 336