RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 An insight into the molecular characteristics of hepatitis C virus for clinicians
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 483
OP 491
DO 10.15537/smj.2016.5.14178
VO 37
IS 5
A1 Du, Lingyao
A1 Tang, Hong
YR 2016
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/37/5/483.abstract
AB Hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of envelope proteins, core proteins, and genome RNA. The structural genes and non-structural genes in the open reading frame of its genome encode functional proteins essential to viral life cycles, ranging from virus attachment to progeny virus secretion. After infection, the host cells suffer damage from virus-induced oxidative stress, steatosis, and activation of proto-oncogenes. Every process during the viral life cycle can be considered as targets for direct acting antivirals. However, protective immunity cannot be easily acquired for the volatility in HCV antigenic epitopes. Understanding its molecular characteristics, especially pathogenesis and targets the drugs act on, not only helps professionals to make optimal therapeutic decisions, but also helps clinicians who do not specialize in infectious diseases/hepatology to provide better management for patients. This review serves to provide an insight for clinicians and this might provide a possible solution for any possible collision.