Das Hepatitis-C-Virus.

The hepatitis C virus is a single-stranded RNA virus and is composed of at least three structural proteins. Viral RNA can be detected in the serum shortly after infection (earliest after three days). Specific antibodies, however, are detected not earlier than 3-4 months after infection. The second generation ELISA detects antibodies to structural (core/C22) and nonstructural (C100, 3c) proteins. Patients with complete recovery may lose antibodies within 2-3 years. However, patients with chronic outcome show a long time persistence of antibodies (anti-C100). Risk groups, such as hemophiliacs (70-95%), i.v. drug addicts (30-80%) and hemodialysis patients (0-45%), show a high prevalence of chronic HCV infection. The current tests seem to be good diagnostic tools for chronic HCV infection, but not for acute and past HCV infection.