Hepacivirus
''Hepacivirus'' is a genus of positive-strand RNA viruses in the family ''Flaviviridae''. The hepatitis C virus (HCV), in species '' Hepacivirus C'', infects humans and is associated with hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are fourteen species in the genus which infect a range of other vertebrate. History Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is the causative agent of hepatitis C in humans, and a member of the species ''Hepacivirus C'', was discovered in 1989. Seven genotypes (1–7) and eighty-six subtypes (1a, 1b etc.) of hepatitis C virus have been named. GBV-B virus (also known as GB virus B) discovered in 1995 is capable of infecting New World monkeys, in particular tamarins. Like HCV it is transmitted by the blood-borne route and similar to HCV it is associated with the viral hepatitis. However GBV-B has never been identified in wild animals and its natural host is not known. Structure Viruses in the genus ''Hepacivirus'' are enveloped and have spherical icosahedral- ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |