[The European consensus on hepatitis C]

The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) International Consensus on Hepatitis C made by 72 experts in hepatology, epidemiology and virology at the EASL Consensus Conference, Paris, February, 1999 and confirmed by the 34th EASL Annual Meeting, Naples, 8-12 april 1999, is widely reviewed. Some newest and more effective strategies for treatment of the chronic viral hepatitis C were discussed during the Naples EASL meeting. Higher doses interferons (interferon-alpha or consensus interferon) plus ribavirin (or combination ribavirin and amantadine) for a longer period--12 months, improved efficacy of the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. An ultrarapid HCV clearance by daily hgh-dose interferon-alpha induction therapy in the start of the management plus ribavirin was achieved and discussed in naive patients and in nonresponders to standard therapy. A gene therapy by an effective genetic vaccine against HCV infection was widely discussed, too. Hepatitis C is an enormous present and future health burden to the world. Not until 2010, the most of therapeutic problems in patients with chronic persisted HCV infection would be resolved.