[Biology of hepatitis C viruses: clinical implications]

Infection by hepatitis C virus is characterized by a high rate of chronicity and low viremia. The virus has only been recently identified; it is a positively stranded RNA virus which shows homology in its genetic organisation with the pestiviruses and flaviviruses. There is not yet an efficient culture system available. Evidence indicates that the genetic variability of the HCV genome might have important clinical implications.