Table 1.

 Clinical evidence for a steatogenic effect for genotype 3

• Hepatic steatosis is present in the majority of patients with genotype 3 infection

• Hepatic steatosis correlates with the level of HCV RNA in serum and the liver

• In patients infected with genotype 3 (but not genotype 1), successful viral clearance with antiviral therapy results in the disappearance of steatosis, only to recur on viral relapse

• IR has been observed to be less common among genotype 3 infected patients, even in those with extensive hepatic steatosis.

HCV, hepatitis C virus; IR, insulin resistance.