HCV Genotype 4; A Brief Review

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a known leading cause of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current available treatment depends on the co-administration of peginterferon and ribavirin. Current treatment drugs are extremely expensive, not effective in all patients with different genotypes and are associated with serious side effects that may lead even to death in some cases. Phylogenetic analysis has led to the classification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into more than 7 genotypes depending on several criteria, amongst them is their worldwide distribution, transmission and disease progression. The lack of availability of an effective vaccine allowed education programs to be the most suitable interventions in the control of HCV spread. Here in this review we will discuss the advanced tools to study HCV genotype 4, and current treatments and vaccination trials of HCV and finally the progress of HCV into hepatocellular carcinoma.