HEPATITIS C VIRUS – HCV (Micro made easy pp 188)

• General: enveloped RNA virus, transmitted via parenteral route, part of Flaviviridae. This virus was only recently discovered.
• Epidemiology/At risk individuals: 11,000 new cases in Australia and is a worry because no vaccine available. At risk groups are: health care workers, IVDU, HBV infected pregnant women, blood transfusion / organ transplant patients etc.
• Clinical features: Incubation period of 6-7 wks (2-26 wk range). Normal course: flu like symptoms ≫ jaundice ≫ acute / chronic hepatitis ≫ 50% develop cirrhosis, risk of developing primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Serological markers: Anti-HCV antibodies will help in the diagnosis of Hep C infection, but does not mean the infection will go away. Until today, no antibody response is protective against Hep C.
• Treatment/Prevention: No vaccine available. Prevention: 1) Screen blood, organs, tissue donors, 2) education (sex partners etc), 3) safe health care practice. Treatment: Patients with chronic active hepatitis respond to IFN-alpha in 50% of cases. Administering Ig dos not help at all.

Category: Microbiology Notes