The transmissibility of viral hepatitis by blood products has been recognized for decades.<sup>20 Beeson P. Jaundice occurring one to four months after transfusion of blood or plasma JAMA 1943 ;  121 : 1332

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> In the latter half of the 20th century, the discovery of the etiologic agents of hepatitis A and hepatitis B led to important medical advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these viral illnesses.<sup>22 Blumberg B.S., Gerstley B.J., Hungerford D.A. , e al. A serum antigen (Australia antigen) in Down's syndrome, leukemia, and hepatitis Ann Intern Med 1967 ;  66 : 924-931

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 77 Feinstone S.M., Kapikian A.Z., Purcell R.H. Hepatitis A: Detection by immune electron microscopy of a viruslike antigen associated with acute illness Science 1973 ;  182 : 1026-1028

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Nevertheless, it was soon apparent that an unidentified, non-A, non-B (NANB) infectious virus was responsible for most cases of posttransfusion hepatitis.<sup>78 Feinstone S.M., Kapikian A.Z. , e al. Transfusion-associated hepatitis not due to viral hepatitis type A or B N Engl J Med 1975 ;  292 : 767-770  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 209 Prince A.M., Brotman B., Grady G.F. , e al. Long-incubation post-transfusion hepatitis without serological evidence of exposure to hepatitis-B virus Lancet 1974 ;  2 : 241-246  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Several important studies resulted in information about the epidemiology, transmissibility, and risk factors for the acquisition of this disease. In 1989, Choo et al discovered the elusive causative agent, named hepatitis C virus (HCV), using serum isolated from a patient with NANB hepatitis.<sup>39 Choo Q.-L., Kuo G., Weiner A.J. , e al. Isolation of a cDNA clone derived from a blood-borne non-A, non-B viral hepatitis genome Science 1989 ;  88 : 359-362

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> An assay to detect the circulating antibodies to this virus subsequently was developed,<sup>132 Kuo G., Choo Q.L., Alter H.J. , e al. An assay for circulating antibodies to a major etiologic virus of human non-A, non-B hepatitis Science 1989 ;  244 : 362-364

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> paving the way for scientific and clinical studies that have culminated in our current understanding of the virus. This article reviews the prevailing knowledge of the hepatitis C virus, which afflicts millions worldwide in what has been called “the silent epidemic.”