Background of hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Type	Clinical features
Prevalence	*High prevalence (> 2%)* China Eastern Mediterranean Egypt India Pakistan *Moderate prevalence (1-2%)* Africa Europe *Low prevalence ( < 1%)* North & South America Southeast Asia Western Pacific countries
Virology	Single stranded RNA virus from family Flaviviridae *Viral replication cycle* Viral RNA translated into polyprotein by host cells after viral entry Viral protease complex NS3 and NS4A proteins work together to cleave polyprotein into mature viral proteins NS5A and NS5B help modulate further viral replication and release viral particle from host cell *Genotypes* Genotype 1 60-75% of patients in US, Latin America, and Europe Subtypes include 1a and 1b Genotype 2 ~15% of patients) in US, Latin America, and Europe Subtypes include 2a and 2b Genotype 3 More common in India, Far East, and Australia Genotype 4 Most common in Africa and Middle East Genotype 5 Most common in South Africa Genotype 6 Most common in Hong Kong and Vietnam
*Possible modes of viral transmission*	Blood transfusion Mother to child in utero, during chilbirth, or after childbirth Organ transplant from infected donors Sexual transmission *Percutaneous innoculation by contaminated equipment* Accidental needle stick Acupuncture Body piercing Syringes and needles by IV drug use Tattooing

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Hepatitis C