Progress in Drug Research - 55

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1989 as the etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis [1] and is currently recognized as the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In contrast to hepatitis B virus infection, in which only about 5% of adult infections become chronic, more than 80% of HCV-infected patients develop chronic hepatitis. Moreover, 20-50% of those persistently infected with HCV will develop liver cirrhosis and hepatocellu lar carcinoma (HCC) [2]. It is estimated that there are 10,000 deaths in the USA per year due to chronic liver failure or HCC [3]. In addition, HCV dis 25-50% of all liver transplants in US centers, and the ease is responsible for recurrence of HCV infection following liver transplantation is universal [4]. Typically, HCV disease emerges after a 10-20 year period during which symp toms, if they exist at all, are mild and non-specific. Although the prevalence varies greatly among different countries, it has been estimated that up to 170 million people (3% of the world's population), are infected with HCV [5]. A recent study in the USA found that 65% of all HCV-infected persons are 30 to 49 years old [6].

Product details

• Publisher: Springer, Basel
• Content: Book
• Product form: Paperback / Softback
• Publication date: 26.07.2013
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General
• EAN: 9783034895446
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3489544-6
• Pages: 336
• Illustrations: VIII, 336 p.
• Dimensions (packing): 17.8 x 1.8 x 25.4 cm
• Weight (packing): 662 g
• Set: Progress in Drug Research > 55; Progress in Drug Research > 55
• Series: Progress in Drug Research > 55