[Physiopathology of hepatitis C virus infection]

Pathogenesis of infection with HCV is not yet clear. Of course the most logical explanation is the direct viral damage, but that seems very improbable. Given that this virus isn't cytopathic, liver damage in chronic infection is probably related to an immune response of cellular type. Cytotoxic lymphocytes and helper lymphocytes recognize the HCV proteins and initiate the proinflammatory cytokine synthesis that lead to chronic inflammation which in turn may originate a malignant neoplasia.