Chronic hepatitis C: a clinical overview

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in analyzing hepatitis C virus (HCV) have improved understanding of how it causes chronic liver disease, although the exact rate of disease progression and factors influencing its natural history are not entirely known. Tests for HCV fall into two categories: serologic and virologic. Interferon has shown limited efficacy in treating chronic HCV infection, and various strategies are being tried to improve its efficacy. HCV-related cirrhosis and liver failure have become one of the most common indications for liver transplantation in the United States.