Chronic hepatitis C is a major worldwide health problem affecting more than 170 million people. Chronic infections lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or hepatocellular cancer in many instances. This volume includes comprehensive reviews that cover much of the vast literature that has appeared since the identification of the hepatitis C virus RNA genome. It will be an invaluable collection for anyone wanting an up-to-date picture of HCV transmission, molecular virology, immune response, cellular/molecular pathogenesis, and possible avenues for developing effective new therapeutics and vaccines.