The origin of quasispecies: cause or consequence of chronic hepatitis C viral infection?

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents a major global health challenge, with an estimated 170 million individuals infected [1]. In some regions seropositivity rates of more than 12% have been demonstrated [2]. While a lack of available data precludes an accurate assessment of the annual global incidence of HCV infection [3], it is estimated that some 38,000 new infections occur annually in the United States alone [4]. HCV persists in some 70% of infected individuals, and is associated with the development of cirrhosis in approximately 20% of patients [5]; up to 2.5% develop hepatocellular carcinoma [6].