Hepatitis C virus: The Indian scenario

†Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an RNA virus, is now well established to be heterogeneous in nature, showing multiple genotypes and subtypes, with the basic structure and genome organization being conserved. Transmitted by parenteral and nosocomial routes, infection with this virus is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. There being no vaccine and the current treatments successful only up to 11–30%, hepatitis C is rarely diagnosed until its chronic stages, when it can cause severe liver damage. In the present article we review the currently available information with regard to molecular biology, pathobiology and epidemiology of HCV infection. Also included in the review are currently approved therapeutic interventions, and strategies for the control of the viral infection. In addition, we also review the work done on this virus, particularly with reference to diagnosis and genotyping of the virus in India. Finally, we explore the possible approaches towards developing an effective vaccine against HCV. VIRAL hepatitis, caused by any of the six hepatotropic viruses, viz. hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), hepatitis E vir us (HEV) and hepatitis G virus (HGV), represents a major health problem worldwide. Among these, HCV is now established to be the major causative agent of post -transfusional Non-A, Non -B hepatitis (PTNANBH) 1 . With approximately 170 million people worldwide estimated to be infected with HCV, a figure that is four times the HIV infection status, HCV has the poten tial to be the next pandemic. HCV, now documented to be heterogeneous in nature, belongs to the genus Hepaciviruses and family Flaviviridae 2,3 . Despite significant progress in the field of biotechnology, reliable diagnostic procedures, an alter native animal model other than the chimpanzee, an efficient cell culture that can support long -term replication of the virus and effective therapeutic strategies are still lacking. In spite of this, a significant amount of information with regard to the molecular biology of the virus is availab le using bacterial cloning and expression systems, which is reviewed here. Also included in this review are the patho biology, diagnosis, treatment and strategies for control of the viral infection.