Artículos de revistas
Hepatitis C virus molecular evolution: Transmission, disease progression and antiviral therapy
Date
2014-11-21Registration in:
World Journal Of Gastroenterology. Pleasanton: Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, v. 20, n. 43, p. 15992-16013, 2014.
1007-9327
10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.15992
WOS:000346050500005
7991082362671212
0000-0001-5693-6148
Author
Hosp Ninos Dr Ricardo Gutierrez
Inst Diagnost & Referencia Epidemiol
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico
Institutions
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents an important public health problem worldwide. Reduction of HCV morbidity and mortality is a current challenge owned to several viral and host factors. Virus molecular evolution plays an important role in HCV transmission, disease progression and therapy outcome. The high degree of genetic heterogeneity characteristic of HCV is a key element for the rapid adaptation of the intrahost viral population to different selection pressures (e.g., host immune responses and antiviral therapy). HCV molecular evolution is shaped by different mechanisms including a high mutation rate, genetic bottlenecks, genetic drift, recombination, temporal variations and compartmentalization. These evolutionary processes constantly rearrange the composition of the HCV intrahost population in a staging manner. Remarkable advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanism controlling HCV replication have facilitated the development of a plethora of direct-acting antiviral agents against HCV. As a result, superior sustained viral responses have been attained. The rapidly evolving field of anti-HCV therapy is expected to broad its landscape even further with newer, more potent antivirals, bringing us one step closer to the interferon-free era. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.