Hepatitis C: a challenge to hepatologists and to the liver transplantation team.

Hepatitis C is the main cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and the leading indication of liver transplantation. The aim of this article was to review specific epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatitis C and their implication for the hepatologists belonging to liver transplantation services. These specific aspects were reviewed in the literature mainly using Medline. Data regarding the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatitis C are discussed, with emphasis on their consequences for the liver transplantation team. Hepatitis C is a challenge for hepatologists and for the liver transplantation team. The burden we observe today is the late consequence of infection that occurred in the past. Measures for early recognition of complications of liver disease are recommended. HCV treatment should always be performed before liver transplantation if possible, but if not, HCV recurrence should be recognized and treated early after transplantation.