### **Mechanism of HCV Infection:**
1.- **Extrahepatic Effects**: HCV can cause conditions like cryoglobulinemia, diabetes, and fatigue due to systemic inflammation.- **Immune Evasion**: HCV blocks immune responses by:
  - Cleaving proteins (MAVS, TRIF) that activate interferon (IFN) pathways.**Replication**: Viral RNA is copied using viral proteins (NS3/4A protease, NS5A, NS5B polymerase).**Entry**: HCV binds to liver cells using receptors (e.g., CD81, SR-B1, claudin-1, occludin).### **Pathophysiology:**
- **Liver Damage**: Chronic HCV infection triggers inflammation, leading to:
  - **Fibrosis**: Scar tissue forms in the liver.- Creating viral quasi-species (mutations) to escape immune detection.**Release**: New virus particles are assembled in lipid droplets and released as lipoviroparticles.- **Cirrhosis**: Severe scarring disrupts liver function.2.3.