Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C†

HCV, hepatitis C virus; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; anti-HCV, HCV antibody; RNA, ribonucleic acid; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; TMA, transcription-mediated amplification; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; SVR, sustained virologic response; EVR, early virologic response; ETR, end of treatment response; peginterferon, pegylated interferon; G-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; HAART, highly active antiretroviral therapy; ddI, didanosine; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These recommendations provide a data-supported approach. They are based on the following: (1) a formal…