Search

This volume provides the reader with a detailed overview of the current state-of-the art approach of Hepatitis C management. It reviews the course of action in handling of chronic Hepatitis C patients with various HCV genotypes and treats special cases such as acute hepatitis, transplant and renal patients as well as people who inject drugs. The two volume work on Hepatitis C introduces to the topic by reviewing virology, diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention, management and elimination of HCV. The book provides a valuable source at full length for researchers and clinicians working on Hepatitis C.

This book helps scientists, clinicians and other interested individuals understand recent clinical advances and challenges for the future. It covers many basic aspects of the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, HCV infections in particular populations, approaches to therapy, and prevention and control of HCV Infection. The book provides a succinct review of the large amount of data generated by multiple groups over the past two decades that has revealed the natural history of HCV infection. Similarly, it summarizes current understanding of the origins of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis. Extra-hepatic manifestation and metabolic disorders related to HCV infection are described. In this volume, these clinically important aspects of HCV infection are comprehensively described. Highlights are description of newly developed direct- acting antivirals. The authors represent a worldwide distribution of leaders in the field reflecting the global nature of HCV infection. Based on recent data concerning the genetic- and geographical diversity of HCV, and increased global disease burden of HCV infection, challenges for global control of HCV infections are described.

This volume is composed of chapters that review important fundamental aspects of HCV biology and disease pathogenesis including, for example, the discovery and identification of the HCV genome, early virus-cell interactions including identification of various cellular receptors, HCV gene expression studied using the HCV replicon system, identification and characterization of HCV structural- and non-structural HCV proteins, HCV replication in cultured cells, and host factors involved in viral replication. This volume also contains chapters dealing with immunity to HCV infection and pathogenesis. This is particularly important in understanding hepatitis C because HCV infection alone is not cell lytic. Mechanisms underlying the persistent nature of HCV infection are also discussed in these chapters. Many of the authors published articles that were listed among the “top 10 papers” published in the 24 years since HCV was discovered in 1989. Their citations are above 1,000 (Web of Science). The authors describe the background and significance of their contributions to the field in the context of findings from other research groups.

In Hepatitis C Protocols, Johnson YN Lau and his expert collaborators present cutting-edge techniques for study of the hepatitis C virus infection and its disease, hepatitis C, which afflict an estimated 170 million people worldwide. The methods range from the detection of anti-HCV in serum and HCV in liver tissue, to HCV genotyping and the detection and quantification of HCV in serum. In addition to these key protocols, the authoritative contributors also evaluate recombinant proteins in immunological test systems, including the identification of important antigenic epitopes, antibodies, and recombinant antigens. Molecular and immunological techniques to study this virus and its infection, as well as animal models and recombinant virus technology commonly used to express hepatitis C viral proteins, are also developed. Hepatitis C Protocols summarizes the state-of-the-art in today's research and understanding of the virology of hepatitis C virus. The methods and systems detailed in this book will play a key role in the development of more effective antivirals, in the development of vaccines, and in a deeper understanding of viral replication strategies, viron structure, and the mechanisms of viron assembly and release. A valuable new standard resource for all researchers and clinicians, Hepatitis C Protocols leads the way toward improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis C.