Diseases That May Lead to Transplantation

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. It is characterized by the destruction of a number of liver cells and the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue.

Hepatitis can be divided into two subgroups according to its duration:

• acute hepatitis - lasting less than six months
• chronic hepatitis - lasting longer than six months

Hepatitis C is a blood-born infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. Unrelated to any of the other known hepatitis viruses (A, B, D and E), Hepatitis C causes damage to the liver that may lead to permanent liver damage as well as cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.

Chronic hepatitis C varies greatly in its course and outcome, and is spread primarily by contact with blood and blood products.

Reference and Publication Information

The United Network for Organ Sharing is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for transplant patients. To learn more about our content authorship and review process, please read about our Editorial Board.

The content on this page was originally created on May 5, 2006 by the United Network for Organ Sharing and last modified on May 11, 2006. The following sources were used as references:

Division of Microbiology and Infection Diseases, retrieved May 11, 2006.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, retrieved May 11, 2006.

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