REVIEW  HEPATITIS C INFECTION: A SYSTEMIC DISEASE 

Minerva Medica 2021 April;112(2):238-45

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4806.21.07388-2

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Cognitive, neurological and psychiatric disorders occurring in Hepatitis C Virus infection

Andrea TASSI ¹, Stefano GITTO ², Chiara PIRAS ³, Carmela CURSARO ¹, Tatiana ALICANDRO ^{1, 4}, Marzia MARGOTTI ¹, Marco RIVI ^{1, 4}, Pietro ANDREONE ^{1, 4, 5} ✉

¹ Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Maternal-Infantile and Adult, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; ² Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; ³ Graduating School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; ⁴ Postgraduate School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; ⁵ Unit of Internal and Metabolic Medicine, Civil Hospital of Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Baggiovara, Modena, Italy

Chronic Hepatitis C is associated with many extrahepatic manifestations. Central nervous system is frequently involved, but the pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Local and systemic inflammation, ischemia, immune-mediated phenomena have been described in this context. Clinical manifestations include cognitive alterations, stroke, depression and demyelinating phenomena. It is unclear if cognitive deficits can be improved or resolved with viral eradication and to understand this, could have important therapeutical implications.

KEY WORDS: Hepacivirus; Infections; Inflammation; Review