African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (12), pp. 1259-1270, 16 June 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatitis C virus (HCV): ever in reliable partnerships?

Amador-Cañizares Yalena* and Dueñas-Carrera Santiago

Hepatitis C Department, Division of Vaccines, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, Postal Zone 10600, Havana City, Cuba.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: yalena.amador@cigb.edu.cu. Fax: (53-7) 2714764. Phone: (53-7) 271 60 22.

Accepted 29 May, 2006

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a parenterally transmitted hepatotropic pathogen. HCV infection is a major health problem worldwide, frequently causing cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no preventive vaccine against HCV and treatment, consisting of interferon alpha plus Ribavirin, is generally effective in less than 50% of cases. HCV has evolved mechanisms for surviving in the host. Infection with multiple different HCV variants, as well as interaction with concurrent pathogens, might be successful strategies for viral persistence. The present review illustrates the current status of HCV co-infection with highly relevant pathogens. Issues regarding tropism, disease progression and antiviral treatment response, among other aspects, are discussed. Data accumulated reveal that HCV co-infection should not be considered the mere sum of several independent infections. Some significant questions are still unanswered. Therefore, nowadays, it might be more reasonable to face HCV co-infections as a new biological, clinical and even predominant epidemiological entity.

Key words: Hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, co-infection.