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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection
Published on: January 26, 2019
Specific detection of negative strand RNA of hepatitis C virus using chemical RNA modification
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes most posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis and nearly half of sporadic cases. Chronic HCV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer in half of those affected.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant cause of liver disease globally.
- HCV infection is responsible for most posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and a substantial portion of sporadic hepatitis cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the etiological role of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hepatitis.
- To outline the natural progression of HCV infection and its long-term sequelae.
Main Methods:
- Review of prospective and retrospective studies on Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
- Analysis of epidemiological data on posttransfusional and sporadic hepatitis.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is identified as the primary agent in posttransfusional NANBH and a major cause of sporadic hepatitis.
- Nearly 50% of individuals with acute HCV infection develop chronic infection.
- Approximately 50% of those with chronic HCV infection progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a critical pathogen with a high propensity for chronicity.
- Chronic HCV infection poses a significant risk for developing severe liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the genome of which was molecularly cloned in the US and Japan, causes most, if not all, cases of posttransfusional non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) and nearly half those of sporadic hepatitis. Prospective and retrospective studies revealed that nearly half of patients with acute infection develop a chronic state of HCV infection, and half of them develop to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
