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Pathogens
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Hepatitis C Virus Infections
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Hepatitis C Virus Infections

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2020) | Viewed by 8943

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gholamreza Haqshenas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
Interests: hepatitis C virus; mosquito-borne viruses; virus biology; viral infections; antivirals; antiviral targets; chimeric viruses; host-virus interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis which might progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to the recent World Health Organization (WHO) estimation, HCV infects approximately 71 million individuals worldwide. So far, seven HCV genotypes each with distinct geographical distribution and infection outcomes have been reported. Several HCV-related viruses with similar genomic organization have been detected in animals as well. HCV binds to specific receptors/co-receptors and exploits cell signaling proteins to enter target cells. Following entry and uncoating, the positive-sense viral RNA genome is translated into a large polyprotein which is subsequently processed into several viral proteins which promote virus replication and assembly. Infectious viral progenies are subsequently exit the cells via the common cellular secretary pathway.

HCV, a blood-borne virus, is transmitted to new individuals mainly through sharing contaminated needles among drug users and unsterile medical procedures. Anti-HCV innate and adaptive immunological responses contribute to the spontaneously clearance of approximately 20% of HCV infections and the remaining 80% develop chronic infection. The infected patients are detected by commercially available serological and molecular diagnostic tests. Despite recent advances in treatment of hepatitis C by targeting multiple viral proteins with newly developed direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA), the disease remains one of the major public health threats worldwide. The new treatment in conjunction with implementation of a global comprehensive strategy can potentially eradicate the disease.

Dr. Gholamreza Haqshenas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • HCV diagnosis
  • HCV-related animal viruses
  • HCV biology
  • HCV-host interactions
  • innate and adaptive immune responses
  • treatment
  • vaccination

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 929 KiB  
Article
Changes in miR-122 and Cholesterol Expression in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients after PegIFN-Alpha/Ribavirin Treatment
by Malgorzata Sidorkiewicz, Martyna Grek-Kowalinska and Anna Piekarska
Pathogens 2020, 9(6), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060514 - 25 Jun 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1820
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known as a main etiological cause of chronic hepatitis. HCV infection disturbs cholesterol metabolism of the host, which is frequently observed in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The course of viral infections remains under strict [...] Read more.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known as a main etiological cause of chronic hepatitis. HCV infection disturbs cholesterol metabolism of the host, which is frequently observed in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The course of viral infections remains under strict control of microRNA (miRNA). In the case of HCV, miR-122 exerts a positive effect on HCV replication in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of peginterferon alpha (pegIFN-α) and ribavirin treatments on the expression of miR-122 and the cholesterol level in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CHC patients. We report here that the level of miR-122 expression in the PBMCs decreased after the antiviral treatment in comparison to the pretreated state. Simultaneously, the level of cholesterol in the PBMCs of CHC patients was higher six months following the treatment than it was pretreatment. Consequently, it seems that the decrease of miR-122 expression in the PBMCs of CHC patients is one of the antiviral effects connected with the pegIFN-alpha/ribavirin treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus Infections)
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14 pages, 755 KiB  
Article
Hepatitis C Virus among Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted along Rivers and Highways in the Amazon Region
by Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho, Diego Wendel F. Aires, Natalia S. Cavalcante, Nairis Costa Raiol, Brenda Luena A. Lisboa, Paula Cristina R. Frade, Luana M. da Costa, Luiz Marcelo L. Pinheiro, Luiz Fernando A. Machado, Luisa C. Martins, Gláucia C. Silva-Oliveira, João Renato R. Pinho, Emil Kupek and José Alexandre R. Lemos
Pathogens 2019, 8(4), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens8040236 - 14 Nov 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3586
Abstract
Background: Previous studies found a high prevalence of pathogens among female sex workers (FSWs) in the Amazon region, and established their parenteral and sexual transmission. This study estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors, and the frequency [...] Read more.
Background: Previous studies found a high prevalence of pathogens among female sex workers (FSWs) in the Amazon region, and established their parenteral and sexual transmission. This study estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors, and the frequency of HCV genotypes and resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in this vulnerable group. Methods: Distinct sampling methods were used to access 412 FSWs in cities and riverside communities in the Amazon region from 2015 to 2018. Three methods for HCV diagnosis were used to determine infection status. HCV genotypes and RASs were identified by sequencing and nucleotide fragment analysis. An association between HCV infection and exposure factors was determined by bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: In total, 44 (10.7%) FSWs were exposed to HCV, and 32 (7.8%) of them had active infection. Nine socioeconomic characteristics and risky sexual behaviors were associated with HCV exposure, particularly unprotected sex and condom exemption for the clients who paid extra money. Genotype 1 (81.3%) and 3 (18.7%) were detected. The frequency of FSWs with RASs was 23.1% (6/26) for grazoprevir related to the occurrence of substitutions Y56F and S122G. Conclusions: HCV infection among FSWs is highly prevalent and dominated by genotype I. Urgent preventive and treatment measures are required to reduce HCV infection in FSWs and the general population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus Infections)
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Review

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13 pages, 772 KiB  
Review
Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for HCV-Associated Glomerular Disease and the Current Evidence
by Fabrizio Fabrizi, Roberta Cerutti, Giulia Porata, Piergiorgio Messa and Ezequiel Ridruejo
Pathogens 2019, 8(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens8040176 - 04 Oct 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3195
Abstract
Glomerular disease is an extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is the most frequent glomerular disease associated with HCV. It occurs commonly in patients with HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome. Patients with HCV-related glomerular disease have been historically a [...] Read more.
Glomerular disease is an extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is the most frequent glomerular disease associated with HCV. It occurs commonly in patients with HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome. Patients with HCV-related glomerular disease have been historically a difficult-to-treat group. The therapeutic armamentarium for HCV-related glomerular disease now includes antiviral regimens, selective or non-specific immunosuppressive drugs, immunomodulators, and symptomatic agents. The treatment of HCV-associated glomerular disease is dependent on the clinical presentation of the patient. The recent introduction of all-oral, interferon (IFN)-free/ribavirin (RBV)-free regimens is dramatically changing the course of HCV in the general population, and some regimens have been approved for HCV even in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. According to a systematic review of the medical literature, the evidence concerning the efficacy/safety of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) of HCV-induced glomerular disease is limited. The frequency of sustained virological response was 92.5% (62/67). Full or partial clinical remission was demonstrated in many patients (n = 46, 68.5%) after DAAs. There were no reports of deterioration of kidney function in patients on DAAs. Many patients (n = 29, 43%) underwent immunosuppression while on DAAs. A few cases of new onset or relapsing glomerular disease in patients with HCV successfully treated with DAAs have been observed. In summary, DAA-based combinations are making easier the management of HCV. However, patients with HCV-induced glomerular disease are still a difficult-to-treat group even at the time of DAAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus Infections)
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