When was hep c first discovered

Kuo immediately used the information to design a test that could screen blood for the infection. In , the team published two papers in Science , one describing the isolation of the virus 1 — which they named hepatitis C — the other outlining the screening procedure 2. Global elimination of hepatitis C virus by why not? Japan licensed the technique for broader use in , and the United States followed in The discovery of HCV also paved the way for a treatment.

Several teams are now working to find a vaccine. Several prestigious awards have since recognized the various scientists behind the discovery of hepatitis C. Many have honoured Houghton, and he convinced some to also recognize Choo and Kuo. He had hoped to persuade the Gairdner Foundation, which also awarded the prize to Bradley and Alter, to include Choo and Kuo.

When the foundation declined, Houghton walked away from the prize and the money. Houghton says that he accepted the Nobel prize, however, because he had no hope of changing the long-standing rule that limits recipients to three. Kuo, Choo and Bradley made important contributions, as did other researchers, he says. When news of the Nobel prize broke, Kuo says, he did feel disappointed. But he adds that prizes were never the goal.

When asked how he felt when the Nobel was announced, Choo begins to cry. Choo, Q. Science , — PubMed Article Google Scholar. Kuo, G. Baumert adds that the availability of improved treatments has brought a misconception that the hepatitis C problem has been solved, and funders and journals seem less interested in the disease.

The Nobel prize could be an opportunity to remind the world that hepatitis C remains a problem. News 11 NOV Career Guide 10 NOV Wellcome Sanger Institute. Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily. Advanced search. Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature. You have full access to this article via your institution. Download PDF. Close banner Close. Email address Sign up.

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Two Americans and a British scientist share the Prize for Physiology or Medicine for work in the s through the s. The rise of agents to treat hepatitis C virus has created vexing questions in managed care. Although hepatitis A and B viruses had been identified, most blood-borne hepatitis cases could not be explained prior to work by Harvey J.

Rice, PhD, now of Rockefeller University. Worldwide, 71 million people have HCV, although many are unaware they have it, according to the World Health Organization. Blood tests have since between developed to detect HCV, and the development of a group of agents called direct acting antivirals DAAs can now cure it, raising the possibility that the disease can be eliminated, according to the Nobel Assembly statement.