Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Abstract

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 200 million people globally, with increasing incidence, especially in developing countries. HCV infection frequently progresses to chronic liver disease, creating a heavy economic burden on resourcepoor countries and lowering patient quality of life. Effective HCV diagnosis, treatment selection, and treatment monitoring are important in stopping disease progression. Serological assays, which detect anti-HCV antibodies in the patient after seroconversion, are used for initial HCV diagnosis. Qualitative and quantitative molecular assays are used to confirm initial diagnosis, determine viral load, and genotype the dominant strain. Viral load and genotype information are used to guide appropriate treatment. Various other biomarker assays are performed to assess liver function and enable disease staging. Most of these diagnostic methods are mature and routinely used in high-resource countries with well-developed laboratory infrastructure. Few technologies, however, are available that address the needs of low-resource areas with high HCV prevalence, such as Africa and Southeast Asia.

Prediction of HCV load using genotype, liver biomarkers, and clinical symptoms by a mathematical model in patients with HCV infection

“…13 The measurement of viral load is a key predictive factor that can be employed to develop successful treatment interventions. 8 In the present study, as reported in previous works, 14,15 genotype 3 followed by genotype 1, were the most prevalent genotypes. The maximum levels of HCV viremia were detected in the mixed genotype group, and the lowest levels were found in the undetectable genotype group.…”

“…The early identification and effective management of the infection could be changing the natural progression of the disease . The measurement of viral load is a key predictive factor that can be employed to develop successful treatment interventions . In the present study, as reported in previous works, genotype 3 followed by genotype 1, were the most prevalent genotypes.…”

“…Nonspecific tests include all para‐clinical methods for the diagnosis of hepatitis, such as liver biochemistry measurement, liver biopsy, and abdominal imaging. Each of the above‐mentioned methods has its own sensitivity and specificity . Enzyme immunoassays are the most common serological assays for detecting HCV antibodies.…”

“…Each of the above-mentioned methods has its own sensitivity and specificity. 7,8 Enzyme immunoassays are the most common serological assays for detecting HCV antibodies. However, false-negative results can be observed in patients with a major immunosuppression problem (advanced HIV infection or organ transplant recipients), patients with chronic renal failure on long-term hemodialysis, thalassemia patients, intravenous drug users, and patients with acute or early HCV infection.…”

Immiscible phase filter extraction and equivalent amplification of genotypes 1–6 of hepatitis C RNA: The building blocks for point-of-care diagnosis

“…In spite of the high prevalence of disease and new opportunities for access to direct acting antiviral treatment, most people are unaware of their infection [37]. The presence of HCV RNA in peripheral blood is a reliable diagnostic marker for HCV infection; it can be detected prior to seroconversion to diagnose acute infection, distinguish active from resolved infections, and identify patients with chronic HCV that lack an antibody response such as patients on hemodialysis or those co-infected with HIV [38–40]. …”