Pathology of hepatitis C virus infection.

This paper reviews our current knowledge of hepatitis C virus, its structure, epidemiology and pathological effects in man. The histopathological features of acute and chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis C virus are detailed and illustrated. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the liver injury are outlined and the significance of genotypic subtypes of the virus and of host genetic predisposition in relation to the liver injury and the response to therapy are summarized.