Medical & Clinical Reviews

Hepatitis C virus: Why an Enigma?

Hepatitis C virus was identified as a distinct disease from Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis B virus in 1989. Since then many studies have highlighted the complicated aspects of the HCV infection right from its worldwide prevalence to its clinical presentation to its management. Even after almost three decades and so much technological advancements our knowledge about HCV is still far from complete. Everything about the virus right from its evolution to its pathogenesis and management is an enigma. In this review we would like to provide insight into the currently known details about the origins and evolution of HCV and try to illustrate our understanding of the viral replication and pathogenesis of HCV. Lack of an alternative animal model beside the chimpanzees and inability of the virus to grow in cell cultures until recently hampered research on the therapeutic management of HCV. We would like to discuss the available treatment options and the recent developments in the field of HCV treatment and its likely future clinical impact. Also the latest hurdles for designing of vaccine against HCV will be discussed.

Author(s):

Anita Chakravarti, Manisha Jain

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