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 Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (NS5B Polymerase)
Systems to Culture Hepatitis C Virus
Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus Infectious Clones in Chimpanzees: Long-Term Studies
Cell Mediated Immune Response to the Hepatitis C Virus
Strategies and Prospects for Vaccination Against the Hepatitis C Viruses
The GB Agent.