The Hepatitis C Viruses [Paperback]

Chronic hepatitis C is a major worldwide health problem affecting more than 170 million people. Chronic infections lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or hepatocellular cancer in many instances. This volume includes comprehensive reviews that cover much of the vast literature that has appeared since the identification of the hepatitis C virus RNA genome. It will be an invaluable collection for anyone wanting an up-to-date picture of HCV transmission, molecular virology, immune response, cellular/molecular pathogenesis, and possible avenues for developing effective new therapeutics and vaccines.Chronic hepatitis C is a major worldwide health problem affecting more than 170 million people. Chronic infections lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or hepatocellular cancer in many instances. This volume includes comprehensive reviews that cover much of the vast literature that has appeared since the identification of the hepatitis C virus RNA genome. It will be an invaluable collection for anyone wanting an up-to-date picture of HCV transmission, molecular virology, immune response, cellular/molecular pathogenesis, and possible avenues for developing effective new therapeutics and vaccines.List of Contents.- Studies of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis and Characterization of the Hepatitis C Virus in Chimpanzees.- Hepatitis C Epidemiology.- Natural History and Disease Manifestations of Hepatitis C Infection.- Overview of Hepatitis C Virus Genome Structure, Polyprotein Processing, and Protein Properties.- Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Mediated Translation in Hepatitis C Virus Replication.- Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein: Possible Roles in Viral Pathogenesis.- Folding, Assembly and Subcellular Localization of Hepatitis C Virus Glycoproteins.- Structure and Function of the Hepatitis C Virus NS3-NS4A Serine Proteinase.- Structure and Function of Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Helicase.- Evading the Interferon Response: Hepatitis C Virus and the Interferon-Induced Protein Kinase, PKR.- Hepatitis C lSj