Hepatitis C virus infection: an evolving field of medicine

Abstract

Hepatitis C infection is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also an important indication for liver transplantation in the USA and Europe, yet it is potentially curable. It is estimated that 3% of the world population (170 million people) are infected with hepatitis C. The highest prevalence is in North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. The prevalence in South Africa is not known, but is estimated to be in the range of 0.1-1.7%. 1-3