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Review
. 2013 Nov 28;19(44):7896-909.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.7896.

An insight into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection

Mohammad Irshad  1 , Dhananjay Singh Mankotia, Khushboo Irshad
Affiliations
Review

An insight into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection

Mohammad Irshad et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

This review focuses on research findings in the area of diagnosis and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection over the last few decades. The information based on published literature provides an update on these two aspects of HCV. HCV infection, previously called blood transmitted non-A, non-B infection, is prevalent globally and poses a serious public health problem worldwide. The diagnosis of HCV infection has evolved from serodetection of non-specific and low avidity anti-HCV antibodies to detection of viral nucleic acid in serum using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Current PCR assays detect viral nucleic acid with high accuracy and the exact copy number of viral particles. Moreover, multiplex assays using real-time PCR are available for identification of HCV-genotypes and their isotypes. In contrast to previous methods, the newly developed assays are not only fast and economic, but also resolve the problem of the window period as well as differentiate present from past infection. HCV is a non-cytopathic virus, thus, its pathogenesis is regulated by host immunity and metabolic changes including oxidative stress, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Both innate and adaptive immunity play an important role in HCV pathogenesis. Cytotoxic lymphocytes demonstrate crucial activity during viral eradication or viral persistence and are influenced by viral proteins, HCV-quasispecies and several metabolic factors regulating liver metabolism. HCV pathogenesis is a very complex phenomenon and requires further study to determine the other factors involved.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Hepatitis C virus; Immunity; Pathogenesis; Steatosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proteins encoded by the hepatitis C virus genome. Genome organization of hepatitis C virus showing the structure of the viral genome, including the long open reading frame encoding structural and nonstructural proteins, and 5’ and 3’ non-coding regions (NCRs). [Source: Monica A et al. Expert Rev Mol Med 2003; 5].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regulation of hepatitis C virus pathogenesis by host immunity and metabolic factors. HCV: Hepatitis C virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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