Because symptoms are often very uncharacteristic, the suspicion of hepatitis C infection is often made by chance during a blood test based on abnormal liver values. Various tests may be performed for further clarification:
- With the help of the so-called ELISA test, antibodies against the hepatitis C virus can be detected 3 months after infection. However, since the antibodies can still be in the body years to decades after overcoming the disease, this is not yet a definite indication.
- If antibodies against the hepatitis C virus were found, the diagnosis must be additionally confirmed with a so-called PCR test. It allows the direct detection of the hepatitis C virus in the blood.
- Another examination that is routinely performed is sonography. This is an ultrasound examination that gives the first clues about the condition of the liver.
- About a liver biopsy can be clarified how serious the disease is.
Treatment of hepatitis C
In acute hepatitis, early therapy with interferon-alpha for several weeks can cure almost all cases. Interferon-alpha is a naturally occurring glycoprotein (protein-sugar compound) produced by the human body to defend itself against foreign substances. In people with chronic viral hepatitis C, the body’s own production of interferon is probably insufficient to successfully fight off the virus. Interferon therapy therefore helps the immune system fight it off.
In chronic hepatitis C, a combination treatment is used. The patient receives interferon-alpha in combination with ribavirin (antiviral drug) over several months. Depending on the severity of the disease, this therapy is successful in 50-80 percent of patients. In addition, the patient can contribute to the success of the therapy with his or her health-conscious behavior. This includes physical rest and avoiding substances that further damage the liver, such as alcohol and medications.
New approach to vaccination and therapy
Because not all patients respond to combination treatment and there are often significant side effects, intensive research is underway to find an effective vaccine. A Canadian research team has now achieved partial success. The scientists introduced a protein of the virus into the so-called dendritic cells of mice. These key cells of the immune system alert the body to invaders. They succeeded in stimulating the immune system of the mice and triggering a targeted defense reaction.
The vaccinated animals subsequently coped much better with the viral infection. Vaccination could be used not only as preventive protection but also as immunotherapy, according to the Canadian university researchers.* * The study was presented in the Journal of Genral Virology (vol. 87, p. 1).
