A 48-year-old man presents for an evaluation of abnormal findings on liver tests detected during an insurance examination. He had a blood transfusion 25 years previously but denies drug or alcohol use.

He denies a history of ascites, encephalopathy, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Laboratory findings Complete blood cell count             normal Aspartate aminotransferase         115 U/L Alanine aminotransferase             137 U/L Albumin                                            normal Bilirubin                                            normal Hepatitis C virus antibody            positive Hepatitis C RNA                             200,000 IU/L Hepatitis A virus antibody IgG and IgM     negative Hepatitis B surface antigen       negative Hepatitis B surface antibody     negative Human immunodeficiency virus         negative Ultrasonography of the liver                 normal Liver…