Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Review

CHARACTERISTICS AND PREVALENCE OF OCCULT HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS C IN IRAN

 ABSTRACT Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients who lack detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is called occult hepatitis B infection. Such infections have been frequently identified in patients with chronic hepatitis Cliver disease, but their prevalence is not known. Methods: 207 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were HCV -RNA and antiHCV positive were stu...

Does occult hepatitis C virus infection exist?

Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been found in anti-HCV and serum HCV RNA-negative patients with abnormal results of liver function tests of unknown origin and in patients with spontaneous or treatment-induced recovery from hepatitis C (2–6, 9–11). In a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Halfon and coworkers questioned the existence of occult HCV infection as they...

Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis

BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is recognized by finding hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in hepatocytes without detectable anti-HCV antibodies and viral RNA in plasma. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic and generally progressive disease without exactly-identified etiology. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OCI among patients with AIH and to evalua...

How Hepatitis C Virus Infection Contributes to Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Associated Vascular Complications: A Literature Review

Interferon (IFN)-based therapy, the cornerstone for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, is generally considered to be the single most effective treatment strategy for this infection. Although most adverse effects of IFN therapy respond very well to the cessation of this drug, there are reports of serious irreversible adverse effects. This review article evaluates the adverse effects...