Since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989, there has been an explosion of research and information on the virus. This is evidenced by the more than 20 000 papers on HCV (as of December, 2000), as well as the numerous reviews in journals and edited books. The purpose of this book is to present an overview of the different disciplines that have contributed to an understanding of the virus, its diseases, current and proposed treatments, and much more. Importantly, this book attempts to integrate the various disciplines to provide an overall picture of what has been accomplished in the field, and what major questions still remain.

This book is organized so that the reader will first understand how and why it was so difficult to identify HCV and then how the development of antibody and HCV RNA detection tests have nearly eliminated HCV-associated post-transfusion hepatitis. The book then explores the physical characteristics of the virus, the structure of the genome, polyprotein synthesis, and the proposed replication cycle of HCV. With a broad understanding of the virus, and the ability to screen for both viral antibodies and RNA in blood, considerable work has now been done to elucidate the epidemiology and transmission of HCV. For example, population-based viral antibody surveys have revealed the seroprevalence and burden of infection in different geographic regions of the world, which has been central to the identification of risk factors for transmission and the development of preventative measures to reduce risk.