Abstract

MARTINEZ ECHEVERRIA, A.; RODRIGUEZ GUTIERREZ, C.; ELIZALDE, I.  and  ZOZAYA, J. M.. Acute hepatitis C virus infection. Anales Sis San Navarra [online]. 2004, vol.27, suppl.2, pp.59-68. ISSN 1137-6627.

Acute hepatitis C virus infection produces clinical and biochemical features that is non-specific and indistinguishable from those caused by other hepatotropic viruses. The specific diagnosis of acute hepatitis C virus infection is based on the detection of serum RNA-HCV through a technique of PCR whose result will be positive after 1-2 weeks of the initial contact with the virus. The anti-bodies against HCV are detected later (after 7-8 weeks on average), and are not useful, as an isolated determination, in distinguishing acute infection from chronic infection or in clearing the virus (spontaneous or following treatment). Fifty-five to eighty-five percent of patients with acute HCV infection do not clear the virus and develop a chronic infection with risk of evolution to cirrhosis and of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. For this reason, the present tendency is to treat with interferon all those patients in whom RNA-HCV remains positive after 3-4 months following diagnosis of acute infection.

Keywords : Acute hepatitis; Clinical manifestations; Diagnosis; Treatment; Interferon.

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