The Hepatitis C Viruses
Chronic hepatitis C is a major worldwide health problem affecting more than 170 million people. Chronic infections lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or hepatocellular cancer in many instances. This volume includes comprehensive reviews that cover much o
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Editors R.W. Compans, Atlanta/Georgia M. Cooper, Birmingham/Alabama J.M. Hogle, Boston/Massachusetts· Y. Ito, Kyoto H. Koprowski, Philadelphia/Pennsylvania· F. Melchers, Basel M. Oldstone, La Jolla/California· S. Olsnes, Oslo M. Potter, Bethesda/Maryland· H. Saedler, Cologne P.K. Vogt, La lolla/California . H. Wagner, Munich
Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York Barcelona Hong Kong London Milan Paris Singapore Tokyo
The Hepatitis C Viruses Edited by C.H. Hagedorn and C.M. Rice
With 47 Figures and 15 Tables
,
Springer
CURT H. HAGEDORN, M.D. Division of Digestive Diseases and Genetics - Winship Cancer Center
1639
Pierce Drive, Rm
2101
WMRB
Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA
30322
USA CHARLES M. RICE, M.D. Washington University School of Medicine Department of Molecular Microbiology
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St. Louis, MO
63110
USA
Cover Illustration: The map provides estimates of the worldwide prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (see DL Thomas; Hepatitis C Epidemiology). Contact [email protected] regarding the global collection of more precise data on hepatitis C epidemiology (see Weekly Epidemiological Record 1997, 72,341-348). Cover Design: design & production
GmbH, Heidelberg
ISSN 0070-217X ISBN-13: 978- 3-642- 64047-6 DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-59605-6
e-ISBN-13: 978- 3- 642-596 05 -6
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Preface
Understanding the world we live in can be a challenging task. It is currently estimated that at least 170 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCY). Chronic infections lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or hepatocellular cancer in many instances. Although HCY is perhaps an ancient hum
