The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes inflammation of the liver.
Synonyms
Hepatitis C virus
Detailed description
The RNA virus infects human liver cells. Due to its high mutation rate, a lot of genetic variations exist. The WHO estimates that one percent of the world population is chronically infected with HCV. Transmission is mainly via contaminated blood and can happen in hospitals or through drug use. HCV infection can lead to liver cell carcinoma.
The European Research Council (ERC) awarded Prof Marcus Altfeld, Heinrich-Pette-Institute (HPI) and University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), an ERC Advanced Grant. This highly endowed grant
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) have developed a novel therapeutic approach to cure chronic hepatitis