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Asian perspectives on viral hepatitis: Hepatitis C virus infection
Author(s) -
Mccaughan Geoffrey W
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02273.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatitis c virus , cirrhosis , genotype , liver transplantation , virology , hepatitis c , hepacivirus , virus , hepatitis , hepatocellular cancer , immunology , hepatocellular carcinoma , transplantation , gene , biology , biochemistry
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is widespread throughout Asia. Unusual features of HCV in Asia include a novel genotype distribution with a significant representation of 3a. This is particularly important as genotype 3 is very sensitive to interferon‐based therapies. A major concern in the Asian region is the high prevalence of hepatocellular cancer complicating HCV‐associated cirrhosis, particularly in Japan. Finally, liver transplantation for advanced HCV infection with cirrhosis is an option via cadaveric and living donor programmes.