What is Microbiology - Hepatitis C

​Hepatitis C 

Hepatitis is caused by hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C virus is detected by the present of anti - HCV antibodies. 

Hepatitis C virus is a member of the flavivirus.  Hepatitis C virus may lead to acute cases of hepatitis and chronic cases of hepatitis. Patient may suffer from mild cases of jaundice or remain asymptomatic in primary cases of hepatitis C. 

Liver cirrhosis is commonly associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. 

Hepatitis C virus infection may also predispose individual to hepatocellular carcinoma indirectly.

Hepatocellular carcinoma may occur due to compensation reaction as a consequences of liver injury. Liver injury occur due to the action cytotoxic T cell which clear the hepatitis C virus from the system. There will be pools of dividing cells which are prone to mutation.

The mode of transmission of hepatitis C virus infection is parenterally due to the exposure to the blood and blood products. 


Hepatitis C virus may infect the liver. Hepatitis C virus may mutate which lead to variation in the envelope protein. As a result, hepatitis C virus may escape virus neutralizing antibodies.

Organ transplant recipient and intravenous drug users are at high risk of developing hepatitis C virus infection. 

The treatment of hepatitis C virus infection may include avoiding intravenous drug uses, screening blood product and medication such as ribavirin and interferon - alpha.