HCV encephalopathy – an artefact due to medical care?. Issue 8 (26th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weissenborn, K.; Tillmann, H. L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of viral hepatitis. Volume 23:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 580
• Page End: 583
• Publication Date: 2016-05-26
• Subjects: brain -- cognitive dysfunction -- fatigue -- hepatitis C virus -- virus replication; Hepatitis, Viral -- Periodicals; Hepatitis, Viral, Animal; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; 616.3623
• DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12547
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-0504

Abstract

Summary: Anti‐HCV positive individuals frequently complain about chronic disabling fatigue, mood alterations and deficits in concentration and memory. Several data provide evidence that such alterations are unrelated to hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia. Thus, merely being exposed to HCV in the past may be sufficient to trigger, but the HCV exposure itself. This commentary reviews the available data upon this topic with special reference to the paper by Lowry and colleagues published in this issue of the Journal of Viral hepatitis. We will carefully discuss scientific reasons, why HCV may be directly involved in the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms independent from ongoing detectable viremia, as suggested by epidemiological data.