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Extrahepatic Manifestations of Chronic Viral C Hepatitis
Salvatore Petta1, Antonio Craxì1
1Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, PROMISE, Università di Palermo, Italia.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to immune, neurological, and heart conditions. Eradicating the virus with new treatments may improve outcomes for these extrahepatic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with numerous extrahepatic comorbidities, including immune dysregulation, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cardiometabolic alterations.
- Clinical observations and experimental data suggest a role for HCV in the pathogenesis of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between HCV infection and extrahepatic diseases.
- To highlight the impact of viral eradication on the occurrence and outcomes of these comorbidities.
- To emphasize the importance of seeking viral eradication in all infected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating HCV and extrahepatic manifestations.
- Analysis of the effects of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on comorbidities.
Main Results:
- HCV infection is frequently linked to immune system dysregulation, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cardiometabolic issues.
- Viral eradication has shown positive effects on the incidence and prognosis of extrahepatic diseases.
- Safe and effective DAAs are now available for HCV treatment.
Conclusions:
- HCV plays a role in the pathogenesis of extrahepatic diseases.
- HCV eradication is beneficial for managing associated comorbidities.
- All individuals with HCV should be considered for treatment regardless of liver disease severity.
Abstract:
Hepatits C virus (HCV) infection has been largely associated with extrahepatic comorbidities such as diseases related to dysregulation of the immune system, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cardiometabolic alterations. These clinical consequences, together with experimental evidence, suggest a potential (in)direct effect of HCV, contributing to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Various studies have reported a positive effect of viral eradication on occurrence and outcomes of extrahepatic diseases. These observations and the availability of safe and effective direct antiviral agents further underline the need to search for virological eradication in all infected individuals independent of the severity of the liver disease.
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