[Viral hepatitis C]

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis type C became one of the most dangerous hepatic diseases, bearing high risk of eventually fatal complications. Now a great deal of public health funds has to be used for prevention and treatment of this serious disease. Only very detailed knowledge of the disease could help to a medical practitioner in his everyday confrontation with this serious problem.

Materials and methods: Data, diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive suggestions given in this paper are result of a comprehensive review of relevant literature.

Results: The causative agent of hepatitis type C is an RNA virus with six different genotypes. It is easily transmitted from one host to the other only by transferring large amounts of body fluids (blood or plasma transfusion, or prolonged, repeated inoculations of small quantities of infected fluids intravenous drug abusers, recipients of clotting factors, accidental needle sticks). The quantification of the disease activity could be done by a numerical scoring system, originally issued by Knodell, which takes into account four categories: periportal necrosis, intralobular necrosis, portal inflammation and fibrosis. The incubation period of hepatitis C varies from 5 to 7 weeks. It starts like a relatively mild acute disease, but eventually it progresses to chronicity. About 10-20% of patients develops cirrhosis, and yet unknown percentage of patients develops hepatocellular carcinoma. On average, it takes about 30 years for chronic hepatitis C to progress to cirrhosis or cancer.

Discussion: Serologic testing for anti-HCV proves the existence of specific antibodies against hepatitis C virus. It becomes positive only after 5-6 weeks from clinical onset. Much more sensitive test is PCR, which proves the viral RNA in body fluids. PCR is positive as early as 2 weeks from the onset of hepatitis. Up to now, the only 100% certain way to prove existence of chronic hepatitis is liver biopsy. Interferon alpha is nowadays used for management of this serious disease. The accepted dose is 3,000,000 U three times weekly for 24 weeks. About 46% of treated patients will have both serological and histological improvement. Total liver collagen and iron staining in portal areas are significantly decreased after the treatment course, giving hope for postponing the onset of cirrhosis. However, half of the responders will experience relapse of the disease within 8 months from the end of treatment, and sustained biochemical and virological response could be seen in only 5% of patients. The sustained response rate was increased in some studies to 29% when iron reduction was undertaken along with interferon.

Conclusion: Since there is no effective treatment for hepatitis C, much of the efforts should be directed to prevention. Since hepatitis C virus is transmitted only by parenteral route or close personal contact (sexual contact mostly), in the family environment general hygienic measures are considered sufficient. Hands should be washed properly, food, clothing, utensils, linen and excreta of the patient should be handled separately. During sexual intercourse, prophylactics should be used. The most important measure for prevention of posttransfusion hepatitis C is regular testing of all blood donors for anti-HCV antibodies.