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glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Acute—Any condition that is severe and sudden
in onset.
Acute hepatitis C—the initial stages
of hepatitis C infection; the acute phase of infection can
last
up to 6 months. Some people
may experience jaundice (yellowish eyes and skin that occurs
as a result of the liver becoming inflamed), fatigue, nausea,
and
increases
in serum ALT levels. A small percentage of people with acute
hepatitis C are able to clear the virus naturally from the
bloodstream and
recover on their own. However, more than 80% develop chronic
(long-term) hepatitis C.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)—An enzyme
that is found mainly in the liver and in other tissues of the
body. When the liver is
damaged, this enzyme is released into the bloodstream. ALT
levels can be measured to determine if the liver is damaged
or diseased.
Alopecia - Thinning or loss of hair.
Anorexia - A decreased appetite or aversion to food.
Antibody - A protein produced by the immune system in response to
the presence of an antigen (foreign substance). It defends the body
against substances identified by the immune system as potentially
harmful.
Antigen - A substance that triggers an immune response because the
body recognizes it as foreign (different from normal body components).
Antigenic - provoking an immune response or reacting with specific
antibodies.
Anti-inflammatory—Counteracting or suppressing
inflammation.
Antiviral - A substance that fights viruses.
Arthralgia - Joint pain.
Ascites - An abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
Assay - A test that identifies either antigens
or antibodies to diagnose an infection.
Autoimmune disorders - Conditions in which
the immune system mistakenly identifies cells of the body as
foreign
material, producing an immune response against
the
body itself.
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Bacteria - Tiny organisms that often form colonies and live in soil,
water, organic matter, or the bodies of plants and animals. While
not all bacteria are harmful, some cause disease.
Bile - A yellow-green fluid that is made by the liver to help digest
fat. The principal components of bile are cholesterol, bile salts,
and the pigment bilirubin.
Blood-borne virus - A virus that circulates in the blood and can
be transmitted from one person to another during blood-to-blood contact
(eg, through shared needles).
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Chronic - A condition that frequently recurs or continues for a long
time.
Chronic hepatitis C - A persistent hepatitis C infection with periodic
evidence of HCV RNA in the blood for at least 6 months. The diagnosis
is usually made by blood tests showing detectable viral levels in
the blood.
Cirrhosis - A condition in which the liver does not function normally
due to scarring.
Community-acquired infection - An infection that occurs through contact
with an infectious agent in the community.
Compensated liver disease - Advanced liver disease that is stabilized.
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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) - The abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic
acid, the genetic material of nearly all forms of life. DNA is used
to store the genetic information of all living creatures.
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Elevated liver enzymes - The presence of abnormal blood serum levels
of liver enzyme (one possible cause is hepatitis). Liver enzymes
are special proteins found in liver cells responsible for triggering
various metabolic reactions.
Enzyme - A protein molecule in a plant or animal that causes specific
biochemical reactions in every stage of metabolism. For example,
certain enzymes aid in digestion.
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) - An immunoassay is a test
in which a substance is identified by its ability to produce an immune
response (by binding to specific antibodies). In an enzyme immunoassay,
an enzyme is used to highlight or label either the substance in question
or the antibody that is produced in response to it.
Exposure - Coming in contact with infectious agents (bacteria or
viruses).
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False-positive - Test result that incorrectly indicates the presence
of a disease. Certain tests have higher false-positive rates than
others.
Fatigue - Feelings of being very tired or lacking energy.
Fibrosis - Scarring of the liver.
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Gastroenterologist - A doctor who specializes in disorders of the
stomach, intestines, and all related organs, including the liver.
Genotype - A unique set of genetic information that codes for and
determines specific characteristics about an organism. There are
6 known major genotypes of the hepatitis C virus, some of which are
more prevalent in specific parts of the world.
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Half-life - The time required for half the amount of a substance
(such as a drug or toxin) introduced into the body to be eliminated
by the body through natural processes.
HCV - The abbreviation for the hepatitis C virus.
HCV RNA - The abbreviation for hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid.
RNA is the genetic material of hepatitis C virus and is a chemical
that is very similar to DNA. The hepatitis C RNA contains the information
that the hepatitis C virus needs to function.
Hemodialysis - A medical procedure that uses a special machine (a
dialysis machine) to separate and cleanse the blood.
Hepatic - Relating to the liver.
Hepatitis - Any inflammation of the liver.
Hepatitis A - Liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, contracted
through food or water contaminated by fecal matter. The hepatitis
A virus belongs to the Picornaviridae family of viruses.
Hepatitis B - Liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, passed
through sexual activity or contact with infected blood or blood products.
The hepatitis B virus belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses.
Hepatitis C - Liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, passed
through contact with infected blood or blood products. The hepatitis
C virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and the Hepacivirus genus
of viruses.
Hepatocyte - Special cells found in the liver.
Hepatologist - A doctor who specializes in liver diseases.
Histologic response - Improvement in the liver due to a reduction
in inflammation.
Histology - The study of tissue under a microscope.
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Immunocompromised - A situation where the immune system is weakened
or not functioning normally because of illness or an immunosuppressive
agent.
Inflammation - An immune system response to infection, irritation,
or other injury, which usually results in redness, warmth, swelling,
and pain in the affected area.
Immunoregulatory - Controlling immune response functions.
Insomnia - Inability to sleep.
Interferon - A protein that is secreted by cells in the body as a
response to viral infections. Alpha interferon is one specific type
of this protein. It was genetically engineered to be used in the
treatment of viral hepatitis and other viral diseases.
Invasive - Any procedure involving entry into the living body, including
entry by incision or insertion of an instrument.
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Jaundice -A yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, tissues, and
certain body fluids, which can result from certain liver diseases,
including hepatitis C, or from excessive breakdown of red blood cells
due to internal hemorrhage or various other conditions.
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Liver - A large, dark-red organ in the human body located in the
mid-abdomen region. The liver performs many important functions,
such as processing food into fuel for the body and cleaning alcohol
and poisons from the blood.
Liver biopsy - A tiny sample of the liver is removed (with a needle)
and examined in a laboratory.
Liver cancer - A malignant tumor of the liver. Contributing factors
to the development of liver cancer include viral hepatitis; chronic
liver disease; hemochromatosis (an inherited liver disease that affects
how the body processes iron); known liver carcinogens; and toxins
(mycotoxins) found in foods in parts of Africa and Asia. Avoiding
known liver carcinogens and preventing and treating viral hepatitis
may be beneficial in reducing the risk of liver cancer.
Liver failure - A condition of severe end-stage liver disease, which
is accompanied by a decline in mental status that may range from
confusion to coma. Other features include tremor (shaking movements
resulting from involuntary contracting and relaxing of muscles) and
gastrointestinal bleeding, with vomiting of blood or blood in the
stool.
Liver inflammation - A biological response to cellular injury that
may affect liver function.
Lymphocytes - White blood cells that play a role in defending the
body against disease.
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Malaise - A feeling of weakness or discomfort.
Metabolism - The process in which the body breaks down or builds
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for use as a source of energy.
Metabolic reactions - Processes and chemical changes in living cells
by which energy is provided for vital functions.
Monotherapy - Therapy with one drug or agent.
Myalgia - Muscle pain.
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Neutropenia - An abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils,
types of white blood cell.
Noninvasive - Any procedure that does not involve penetration (as
by surgery or hypodermic needle) of the skin.
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Pegylation - A process that helps proteins, including interferon,
remain in the body longer.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - A testing technique that can identify
the DNA or RNA (ie, the primary genetic material) of a specific organism.
This type of test can identify hepatitis C virus RNA in a blood sample,
and is the most specific test for hepatitis C infection.
Protein - Molecules involved in structures, hormones, enzymes, muscle
contraction, and immune system responses.
Pyrexia - Fever.
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Qualitative HCV Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - A testing technique
that can identify the DNA or RNA (ie, the primary genetic material)
of a specific organism. This type of test can identify hepatitis
C virus RNA in a blood sample, and is the most specific test for
hepatitis C infection.
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Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA*) - A qualitative test used to
detect antibodies to specific antigens. In testing for antibodies
to hepatitis C, RIBA has historically been used to confirm results
of a positive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) - The abbreviation for ribonucleic acid, a
form of genetic material. Life forms (with the exception of some
viruses) use RNA as a temporary messenger molecule to carry information
that is permanently stored in DNA.
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Serum - A clear liquid part of blood.
Solid Organ Transplant - An operation in which a vital organ of the
body is surgically removed from one person and placed into another
person. Solid organs that can be transplanted include: heart, lung,
liver, kidney, pancreas, and intestine.
Spleen - An organ located near the stomach that stores blood, disintegrates
old blood cells, filters foreign substances from the blood, and produces
a type of immune cells called lymphocytes.
Sporadic infection - (In the context of hepatitis C) an infection
in which the cause is unknown.
Sustained virologic response (SVR) - The virus
remains at undetectable levels in the blood for 6
or
more months after the end of treatment.
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Transmission - The way a disease is transferred or spread from one
person to another.
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Viral load - The amount of viral particles present in a milliliter
(one-thousandth of a liter) of blood.
Virologic response - A reduction in the amount of virus in the blood
to an undetectable level.
Virus - A micro-organism smaller than a bacteria, which can only
grow and reproduce within living cells. Viruses cause many human
infections, and are responsible for various diseases. Viruses can
mutate, or change, in each infected person, which makes treatment
more difficult.
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White blood cells - Cells the body makes to help fight infection. |
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