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Hepatitis C virus: an overview
1John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Insights
Researchers discovered the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an RNA virus related to Flavivirus, which causes most post-transfusion Non-A Non-B Hepatitis (NANB). This 1988 discovery concluded a 15-year search for the elusive infectious agent.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) posed a significant clinical challenge.
- Non-A Non-B Hepatitis (NANB) was a major cause of PTH, with its causative agent unidentified for years.
- A 15-year research effort was dedicated to identifying the NANB agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the primary infectious agent responsible for the majority of Non-A Non-B Hepatitis (NANB) in post-transfusion settings.
- To characterize the newly discovered viral agent.
Main Methods:
- Collaborative research involving Chiron Research Laboratory, NIH, and CDC.
- Long-term investigation and agent discovery efforts.
Main Results:
- Identification of an RNA virus closely related to Flavivirus as the causative agent for most NANB hepatitis.
- The newly discovered agent was named Hepatitis C (HCV).
Conclusions:
- The discovery of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) provided a definitive explanation for the majority of post-transfusion Non-A Non-B Hepatitis.
- This finding marked a significant breakthrough in understanding and potentially managing transfusion-transmitted viral hepatitis.
Abstract:
In May 1988, Kuo and Houghton and their colleagues in Chiron Research Laboratory, in cooperation with the physicians from NIH and CDC, announced their discovery of the agent which is responsible for the majority of Non-A Non-B Hepatitis (NANB) in post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH)1,2, concluding a 15-year effort to search for this elusive agent. Although it is believed that there is another blood-borne agent responsible for a smaller percentage of the post-transfusion hepatitides, the new agent (an RNA virus closely related to Flavivirus) was named Hepatitis C (HCV).