- New HCV infection
A new infection with HCV that may or may not be symptomatic
- Acute HCV infection
A new infection with HCV that leads to acute symptoms
- Anti-HCV antibody
Presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a biomarker of past or present infection
- Chronic HCV infection
Continued infection six months or more after acquiring HCV infection
- Cirrhosis
Extensive liver scarring secondary to prolonged inflammation of the liver (F4 in the METAVIR scoring system)
- Compensated cirrhosis
Cirrhosis usually without liver-related symptoms
- Decompensated cirrhosis
Cirrhosis with the development of symptomatic complications, including ascites or variceal bleeding
- GRADE
Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) is an approach used to assess the quality of a body of evidence, and to develop and report recommendations
- Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)
Antibody to HBV core protein. Anti-HBc antibodies are non-neutralizing antibodies and are detected in both recent and chronic infection
- HCV infection
Active replication of HCV in the body The biomarker of HCV infection is the presence of HCV RNA in the blood
- Pangenotypic
Activity and effectiveness of antiviral medicine against all major HCV genotypes
- Relapse
Undetectable HCV RNA in the blood at the end of treatment but detectable HCV RNA within 24 weeks of completing treatment
- Spontaneous viral clearance
Clearance of HCV infection without treatment
- Sustained virological response (12)
Undetectable HCV RNA in the blood 12 weeks after treatment completion. SVR 12 is considered equivalent to a cure for HCV infection
- Viral breakthrough
Undetectable HCV RNA in the blood during treatment followed by detectable HCV RNA during treatment, which is not caused by a new HCV infection
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World Health Organization, Geneva
NLM Citation
Guidelines for the Care and Treatment of Persons Diagnosed with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018 Jul. Glossary of Terms.