The anticipated encore volume of the Biomedical Research Reports Series, Hepatitis C is the first book that offers comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of this "silent epidemic." The subject matter ranges from basic science to clinical medicine, with contributions from more than 30 international experts in the field. This important new book details the hepatitis C virus and the disease that it causes, including its prevalence, means of spread, symptoms, complications, natural history, prevention, and therapy.The editors, T. Jake Liang, M.D., and Jay H. Hoofnagle, M.D., are both hepatologists and clinical and laboratory researchers who are well known leaders in the hepatitis field. Their team of authors provide the latest information on key issues such as the role of hepatitis C in liver cancer and evolving therapy for hepatitis C, including special subgroups of patients such as children, patients with renal failure, patients undergoing liver transplantation, and patients with HIV coinfection. The book also addresses future directions in antiviral therapy of hepatitis C and the real challenges of developing a vaccine. Hepatitis C is the integrated reference book for all researchers, clinicians, and students dealing with this troubling virus. Key Features* Provides comprehensive coverage of hepatitis C, ranging from basic science to clinical application* Includes contributions from more than 30 international experts in the field* Supplies current recommendations on management of hepatitis C* Designed in an easy-to-use format with consistent organization* Includes extensive illustrations

There are approximately 2.5 million cases of Hepatitis C in the United States and approximately 200 million worldwide. Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient, a friend or relative of someone with Hepatitis C, this book offers help. Written by two physicians from Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Dr. Fabry and Dr. Narasimhan, this book provides authoritative, practical answers to the most common questions about Hepatitis C.

Vital and hopeful information for people suffering from hepatitis C, an often chronic—and sometimes deadly—disease of the liver. The liver is the body's workhorse. It makes proteins and bile, processes fats, and detoxifies drugs and alcohol. The liver is a resilient organ, but it is susceptible to damage from a number of sources, including viral infections. Such infections cause inflammation of the liver, called hepatitis. This book is a comprehensive guide to hepatitis C, which affects about 3 percent of the world's population—3 to 4 million people in the United States alone. Some people with acute hepatitis C infection will be cured without any treatment, but when hepatitis C becomes chronic it may cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Hepatitis C is transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person by sharing drug-injecting equipment, snorting cocaine, having sex, or getting a blood transfusion or organ transplant. It can be spread by getting a tattoo with unsterile equipment. In rare cases, women with hepatitis C transmit the virus to their infants. World-renowned gastroenterologist and liver specialist Dr. Paul J. Thuluvath provides detailed information about the disease and its diagnosis and management, including dramatically improved treatments that have recently emerged. Dr. Thuluvath answers common and uncommon questions about hepatitis C and liver disease, including How is hepatitis C spread? Who should be tested—and what tests diagnose hepatitis C and other liver diseases? What are the symptoms of acute liver disease? What are the symptoms and complications of chronic liver disease? What are the complications of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)? How does hepatitis C affect other organs in the body? What treatment options are available, and what side effects might they have? How is early liver cancer diagnosed and treated? When is liver transplantation needed, and how does it work? Dr. Thuluvath provides the latest information on new interferon-free regimens, which have shown a cure rate of more than 90% in people with specific genotypes—and which avoid the distressing side effects of interferon therapy. He discusses hepatitis C in children as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Published while revolutionary changes are taking place in the treatment of hepatitis C, this authoritative guide will become the preferred reference for people with hepatitis C and their families.

This book is a concise and up-to-date review of the clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with hepatitis C. Busy health care professionals who want a quick review of hepatitis C and new developments in treatment for hepatitis C will benefit from this succinct guide. Hepatitis C virus primarily infects liver cells and can lead to chronic damage to the liver. Patients with hepatitis C infection often develop liver sequelae such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. It is estimated that 150 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus, and if eradication is to be achieved it is imperative to diagnose and treat such individuals.

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.

This volume focuses on epidemiology, genetic diversity and global distribution of Hepatitis C, as well as laboratory diagnosis. Furthermore, the book explores the natural history of the virus and discusses international elimination strategies. The two volume work on Hepatitis C introduces to the topic by reviewing virology, diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention and elimination of HCV. The book provides a valuable source at full length for researchers and clinicians working on Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C Virus and Liver Transplantation is designed to provide a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of the major issues specific to the field of liver transplantation and hepatitis C virus infection. The sections of the book have been structured to review the overall scope of issues of recurrent hepatitis C in different complex settings, including retransplantation, HIV-coinfected patients or in the setting of suboptimal graft donors. This book provides up-to-date information on the application of new therapies to the field of liver transplantation. It provides the most recent data on their efficacy, the management of side effects, as well as the potential interactions and specific problems associated with their use in the transplant setting. Finally, an appraisal of the risks and benefits of using organs from anti-HCV positive donors is presented. This book provides concise and actual materials for several important topics that are simply not adequately covered by current available literature. Hepatitis C Virus and Liver Transplantation will provide a unique and valuable resource in the field of liver transplantation and will be of great value to Hepatologists, Transplant and Abdominal Surgeons, Oncologists, as well as Fellows and Residents training in these fields.​

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Lessons from the Past, Promise for the Future documents the monumental advances that have been made in our understanding of chronic HCV during the past decade. The first section reviews the natural history of chronic HCV, how this virus can affect other organs in addition to the liver, and whether treating chronic HCV alters the natural history of this disease. Section 2 reviews the advances that have been made in the treatment of chronic HCV during the past decade with interferon based therapy. Separate chapters on response guided therapy and how to manage the adverse events associated with these medications provide the physician with the concepts required to more effectively treat chronic HCV now and in the future. As the genetics of virologic response have recently been elucidated, a chapter is devoted to helping the clinician understand how genes that modulate disease processes and their treatment are identified and utilized in clinical care. Section 3 deals with the future of HCV treatment and specific inhibitors of HCV. Specific chapters explain how targets for drugs are identified and how drugs are then developed and tested; how mutations of HCV develop and how anti-viral agents will affect this process; the most up to date data regarding the treatment of chronic HCV with peginterferon, ribavirin and anti-viral agents; and the potential to treat chronic HCV with just oral anti-viral agents and without peginterferon and ribavirin in the future. The final section of this book covers issues related to liver transplantation in patients with chronic HCV. Separate chapters review the natural history of chronic HCV in liver transplant recipients and the impact of utilizing HCV positive donors. The volume concludes with chapters that cover the treatment of chronic HCV both prior to and after liver transplantation with potent anti-viral agents. Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Lessons from the Past, Promise for the Future is a valuable resource for all physicians caring for patients with chronic HCV.