Hepatitis C virus infects the liver and causes a multitude of effects that could lead to death. It is associated with the development of liver tumors, liver cirrhosis and liver cell failure. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the hepatitis C virus is one of the commonest causes of liver disease, causing significant morbidity in the United States. Approximately 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and 12,000 of them die yearly due to complications of the disease. Patients are always on the lookout for new insights into their disease.
Self Recovery
According to the John Hopkins Medical Center, around 20 percent of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus manage to recover through the effects of their immune systems. A study based on the observation of 1,000 patients has yielded valuable information about the genetic characteristics of patients who are likely to recover on their own when infected by the hepatitis C virus. These genes affect the immune system's killer cells responsible for clearing hepatitis C infections.
New Drug Treatment
According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, researchers are testing a drug treatment for the hepatitis C virus. The treatment is hoped to be more effective, and less susceptible to resistance, than current drug cocktails for the treatment of hepatitis C, drugs called alpha-interferon and ribavirin. The drug, SPC3649, is supposed to exert its effects through targeting a protein, normally present on the outer surface of liver cells, needed by the virus to replicate.
Hepatitis C Different Genotypes
According to a study published by the Clinical Microbiology Review, there are different strains, or genotypes, of the hepatitis C virus. These various strains show different responses to interferon treatment. In fact, the response to treatment can be predicted once the genotype is determined. Hepatitis C virus genotypes show a particular geographical distribution. Any vaccines that are developed will take all these genotypes into account.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Chronic Hepatitis C Current Disease Management
- John Hopkins Medical Center: "Self-Recovery" From Hepatitis C Infection Linked To Genes That Suppress Action of Killer Immune Cells
- Royal Society of Chemistry: Chemistry World: New Hepatitis C Breakthrough
- Journal of Clinical Microbiology Review: Clinical Significance of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes
