並列摘要
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a frequent cause of chronic hepatitis in Taiwan. Its prevalence is about 4.4%, with great variations among different regions. The genome of the HCV is comprised of RNA, and there is a high mutation rate during replication. There are 6 major genotypes in the world, and the prevalence of genotype 1 in Taiwan is 53%, and that of genotype 2 is 40%. Infection with hepatitis C in adulthood results in a high chance of chronic infection, with the subsequent complications of cirrhosis and hepatoma. The main strategy of treatment encompasses a combination of interferon and ribavirin, and the US Food and Drug Administration approved direct acting antivirals in 2011. With the development of new medications, better treatment responses of chronic hepatitis C and hence declining cirrhosis and hepatoma due to chronic hepatitis C infection are expected.