Harvey J. Alter

Harvey J. Alter is an American physician and researcher whose work helped establish that transfusion-associated hepatitis could be caused by an agent distinct from hepatitis A and B.

Michael Houghton: Michael Houghton is a British biochemist who led the research team that identified hepatitis C virus. His group later identified the virus responsible for the non-A, non-B hepatitis Alter had characterized.
Non-A, non-B hepatitis: Non-A, non-B hepatitis was the name for viral hepatitis not attributable to hepatitis A or B before hepatitis C was identified. Alter’s patient and donor studies helped establish this distinct category of transfusion-associated disease.
Hepatitis C virus: Hepatitis C virus is an enveloped RNA virus that infects liver cells and can cause chronic hepatitis. Identifying this virus supplied the agent behind the disease Alter had traced through transfusions.
Australia antigen: Australia antigen is the historical name for hepatitis B surface antigen, a marker of hepatitis B virus infection. Alter’s early studies of this antigen contributed to the development of hepatitis B blood screening.
Charles M. Rice: Charles M. Rice is an American virologist whose experiments established that hepatitis C virus can cause hepatitis. His work completed the causal case for the infection Alter’s studies had revealed.
Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by hepatitis C virus that primarily affects the liver. The disease once classified as non-A, non-B hepatitis was ultimately shown to be hepatitis C.
Blood donor screening: Blood donor screening uses tests to identify infections or other risks before donated blood is transfused. Recognizing transfusion-associated hepatitis made screening for its viral cause a blood-safety priority.
Hepatitis B surface antigen: Hepatitis B surface antigen is a protein on the outer surface of hepatitis B virus and a marker of infection. Its detection helped Alter and collaborators distinguish hepatitis B from other causes of post-transfusion hepatitis.
Baruch Blumberg: Baruch Blumberg was an American physician and geneticist who discovered the hepatitis B surface antigen. Alter collaborated with Blumberg’s group on research that helped identify hepatitis B.
Blood transfusion: Blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or blood components into a person’s circulation. Transfusions exposed recipients to the unexplained hepatitis that Alter investigated.

Linked from 2 pages