In isolated acute HCV infection, the host immune system stimulates the secretion of interferon alpha and the activation of natural killer cells, which is followed by the activation of the adaptive immune system. Chronic HCV is characterized by the impairment of these mechanisms. Eventually, chronic HCV infection leads to local inflammation and fibrogenesis, which cause hepatic injury and cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma, a known complication of chronic HCV infection, arises in cases of cirrhosis; the role of oncogenic proteins of HCV in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma has yet to be elucidated.
Hepatitis C pathophysiology
Hepatitis B pathophysiology
Hepatitis E pathophysiology
Alcoholic hepatitis pathophysiology
Autoimmune hepatitis pathophysiology
Peliosis hepatis pathophysiology
Primary biliary cirrhosis pathophysiology
Hepatitis B diagnostic criteria