New strains of hepatitis C found in Africa

(Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) The largest population study of hepatitis C in Africa has found three new strains of the virus circulating in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa. The discovery suggests certain antiviral drugs used in the West may be less effective against these strains, and local clinical trials of patients are urgently needed. Published in Hepatology, the study could inform hepatitis C vaccine development and assist the World Health Organisation's aim of eliminating hepatitis C globally.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news