The research in Dr. Gretch's laboratory addresses the pathobiology, natural history and treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in humans. HCV circulates in humans as a viral quasispecies, with a high rate of genetic evolution within a given host. Progressive liver injury occurs in about 20% of cases, culminating in cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma and/or death. Clinical studies seek to determine the relationships between HCV replication, quasispecies evolution, host immune responses and disease outcomes, both during natural infection and in immunosuppressed liver transplant recipients. Molecular studies focus on interactions between HCV genes and cellular targets, and address basic mechanisms such as viral persistence and antiviral resistance. The primary goal of the laboratory is to bridge basic and clinical research in a manner, which results in improvements in the care of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Chang, M, Williams O, Mittler, J, Quintanilla A, Carithers Jr. J, Corey L, Gretch D. Dynamics of hepatitis C virus replication in human liver. Am J Pathol, in press.

Morishima C, Musey L, Elizaga M, Gaba K, Allison M, Carithers RL, Gretch DR, McElrath MJ. Increased hepatitis C virus-specific cytolytic T cell responses after combination antiviral therapy. J Clin Immunol, in press.

Morgan TR, Brenner D, Everhart J, French SW, Fried MW, Gretch DR, Koziel MJ, McClain CJ, Peters MG, Weinman SA, Lucas DL. Hepatitis C and alcohol: fundamental and translational research directions. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 27:726-31, 2003

Rosen HR, Ribeiro RR, Weinberger L, Wolf S, Chung M, Gretch DR, Perelson AS. Early hepatitis C viral kinetics correlate with long-term outcome in patients receiving high dose induction followed by combination interferon and ribavirin therapy. J Hepatology 37:124-30, 2002.

Murray K, Richardson L, Morishima C, Owens J, Gretch DR. Prevalence of hepatitis C infection and risk factors in an incarcerated juvenile population. Peds 111:153-7, 2002.