Analysis of articles on hepatitis C by scientific mapping: 1989-2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant quandary about public health. It is challenging to study the literature in a particular discipline comprehensively today. One solution is bibliometric analysis, which is often used to track the attributes and evolutionary trajectories of scientific outputs.

AIM

To examine the 35-year scientific evolution of articles focused on HCV.

METHODS

This study examined the 35-year scientific evolution of articles focused on HCV. Our study utilized the Web of Science database. The study encompassed a total of 11930 articles.

RESULTS

Regarding the cumulative count of articles, the leading countries are the United States, Japan, and Italy. Rice CM is the author with the highest recorded H-index and G-index values. The journal with the highest recorded H-index and G-index values is the Journal of Virology. The Journal of Viral Hepatitis contributed 10.94% of the articles, whereas the Journal of Virology published 9.68%. According to the strategic diagram, the keywords most frequently used in 2020-2022 are HCV, epidemiology, and sofosbuvir.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable information about 40 years of academic knowledge on HCV.

Key Words: Hepatitis C; Bibliometric analysis; Science Mapping; Author; Journal

Core Tip: In contemporary times, a substantial escalation in the accumulation of knowledge occurs annually. The assimilation and rendering of this newfound information are imperatives. Tools and technologies such as data storage solutions and advanced analytical techniques are being cultivated to manage and harness this voluminous data effectively. Ultimately, they can ameliorate decision-making processes and engender novel strategic paradigms. One of the remedies to address this predicament is encapsulated within bibliometric analysis. This method facilitates a macroscopic literature analysis and furnishes researchers with a projection. It is frequently employed to trace scientific outputs' attributes and evolutionary trajectories. Within the scope of bibliometric analysis, various distinct applications are encompassed. Among these, science mapping is one of the most frequently referenced fundamental applications. Science mapping is the visual and analytical examination of subjects within scholarly inquiry. Through scientific mapping, the subdomains of a scientific discipline, interrelationships among them, trends, and influential researchers and institutions can be dissected and scrutinized.

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a constituent of the Flaviviridae family, is characterized as a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with an enveloped, globular structure measuring approximately 55 nm in diameter. It exerts its influence upon a demographic exceeding 58 million individuals worldwide. Its prevalence within developed nations ranges between 1% to 2%. In the majority of those afflicted, the virus persists insurmountably, consequently culminating in the emergence of chronic pathologies. This stands as a notably significant quandary about public health[1,2]. In contemporary times, a substantial escalation in the accumulation of knowledge occurs annually. The assimilation and rendering of this newfound information are imperatives. Nevertheless, this pursuit is progressively growing more intricate[3]. Tools and technologies such as data storage solutions and advanced analytical techniques are being cultivated to effectively manage and harness this voluminous data. These instrumentalities engender possibilities for storing, processing, and analyzing vast data conglomerates. Ultimately, they can ameliorate decision-making processes and engender novel strategic paradigms[4]. Researchers need to be more adequately equipped to review the literature in a specific discipline comprehensively. One remedy to address this predicament is bibliometric analysis. This method facilitates a macroscopic literature analysis and furnishes researchers with a projection. It is frequently employed to trace scientific outputs' attributes and evolutionary trajectories[5,6]. Within the scope of bibliometric analysis, various distinct applications are encompassed. Science mapping is one of the most frequently referenced fundamental applications among these. Science mapping is the visual and analytical examination of subjects within scholarly inquiry. Through scientific mapping, the subdomains of a scientific discipline, interrelationships among them, trends, and influential researchers and institutions can be dissected and scrutinized[7,8]. This study aimed to examine the 35-year scientific evolution of articles focused on HCV. In this way, contributions such as determining research trends regarding HCV, evaluating research impacts, facilitating decision-making, examining and encouraging cooperation, and network formations will be provided.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Framework

The framework of this study is shown in Figure 1. Our study utilized the Web of Science (WoS) database, renowned for its extensive purview. WoS facilitates access to the complete texts, citation data, or abstracts of scientific articles[9]. The database was searched on May 6, 2023 for our research. The acquired data underwent a meticulous classification and filtration process. The expanse of the ongoing year 2023 was excluded from the scope. The study encompassed a total of 11930 articles. Research and review articles published in English were included in the analysis. For the analysis, the Bibliometrix program was employed. Bibliometrix, an open-source software package, has been crafted within the R environment for science mapping. To enhance the efficacy of the analysis process, recourse was made to R Studio. R Studio allows managing libraries scripted in the R language[10]. The corpus of 11930 articles included in the analysis was dissected into five sections for comprehensive examination.

Figure 1 Workflow of science mapping.

Basic structure analysis: This section analyzes the annual scientific article production rates and the corresponding yearly average citation counts within the field of HCV. The graph generated has been augmented with the coefficient of determination (R²) as an indicator of reliability, an inclination line depicting trends, and an equation delineating the mathematical relationship.

Countries, authors, sources, and documents analysis: In this section, corresponding author's country, author impact, top-authors’ production over time, source local impact, and most local cited document analyses have been conducted.

In the analysis of the corresponding author's country, the total number of publications (NP) and the analyses of single- and multiple-country publications (MCP) have been examined. Furthermore, the MCP ratio was calculated. The MCP ratio is derived from the quotient of the count of publications with involvement from multiple countries and the overall count of publications across all countries.

In the analyses of author impact and source local impact, the indices H, G, and M have been computed, along with total citations (TC), NP, and publication year starting. The metric citations per paper (TC/NP) has also been calculated. The H-index, introduced to science by Hirsch[11], measures a researcher's productivity and effectiveness[11]. Egghe[12] introduced the G-index, wherein articles garnering more citations hold particular significance[12]. The analysis also encompassed the M-index, designed to facilitate the comparison of authors engaged in academic processes of varying durations. Computed by dividing the researcher's H-index by the number of years of their academic activity, the M-index distinguishes itself as an innovative approach[13].

"Top Authors' Production over Time" illustrates the duration during which prominent authors in the field of HCV have contributed to the domain. The magnitudes of the circles correspond to the NP generated in a given year. The intensity of the circle's color signifies the volume of citations accrued by that year's commencement.

The primary objective of analyses about most local cited documents is to scrutinize the intricacies and intellectual framework within the realm of HCV. In the domain of citation analyses, both local (LC) and global citations (GC), the ratio of LC to GC (LC/GC), annual LC [LC/year 2023-year of publication (YYP)], and annual GC (GC/YYP) have been meticulously computed. The YYP value is computed as "2023-Year of Publication" as delineated in its methodology. Notably, articles published in recent years exhibit markedly abbreviated spans of citation acquisition. The analyses of LC/YYP and GC/YYP have been formulated to mitigate the ramifications of this unfavorable phenomenon.

Co-citation network analysis: Co-citation network analysis discusses the development and utilization of shared citations for analysis within the context of medical research. The paper in question has undergone analyses involving co-citation networks of authors and sources. The Louvain algorithm has been employed for the analysis, focusing on examining the initial 30 articles. The outcomes of this analysis are visually represented through clusters distinguished by varying colors. Within these clusters, each circle symbolizes an article, an author, or a source. The size of these circles enlarges proportionally with the escalation of co-citation occurrences. The interconnecting lines amidst these circles delineate relationships among articles, authors, or sources, with the lines' thickness directly proportional to the strength of the connection that they signify.

Authors’ keyword analysis: Keywords are the defining elements of an article and are determined by the authors. Keyword analysis is ideal for identifying the current topics and themes of the field[14]. The key term frequency within the HCV domain has been ascertained using Bibliometrix.

A word cloud was generated during the keyword analysis. This concept represents the graphical depiction of the most frequently investigated subject matters within the HCV domain[15]. The prominence of keywords within the word cloud corresponds to the extent of their investigation frequency. In our study, the first 50 keywords most commonly employed by authors were incorporated into the analysis.

Trend topic analysis was performed to ascertain the years in which keywords began to be utilized and reached their peak frequency. Keywords employed at least five times each year were included in the analysis.

An analysis of the co-occurrence network of authors' keywords was conducted. This analysis encompassed 39 keywords. The analysis reveals clusters consisting of circles in distinct colors. Each circle represents a keyword. The size of a circle signifies the frequency of the respective keyword's usage. The thickness of the lines connecting circles conveys the co-usage frequency of the keywords.

Conceptual structure analysis: A thematic map or strategic diagram has been devised using the most frequently employed keywords by Bibliometrix. The keywords have been organized into circular clusters, representing thematic sets. The top three most recurrent keywords represent each thematic cluster or circle. The size of the circles is directly proportional to the frequency of keyword usage. In the analysis of thematic mapping, research themes are examined across different periods[16]. The thematic map is divided into four temporal segments. Each segment is interpreted individually. To this end, two parameters denoting centrality and density have been established. The density parameter constitutes the y-axis, whereas the centrality parameter embodies the x-axis, thus delineating the thematic map. The more central a selected theme is, the more significant it becomes, and the denser it is, the more developed it is perceived to be[17]. The thematic evolution of HCV research from 1989 to 2022 has been scrutinized. Encompassing the years 1989 to 2022, the timeframe has been partitioned into four periods, taking into account document count and time windows. The first sub-period spans 22 years (1989-2010) due to the limited number of articles published in earlier years, followed by five years for the second sub-period (2011-2015), four years for the third sub-period (2016-2019), and three years for the fourth sub-period (2020-2022). Motor themes, indicative of high density and centrality, constitute the first quadrant. It is situated in the top-right portion of the thematic map. The second quadrant theme is niche themes, characterized by high density and low centrality. It occupies the top-left quadrant. The third quadrant features emerging or declining themes, displaying low centrality and density. It is located in the bottom-left quadrant. Basic themes, displaying low density and high centrality, form the fourth quadrant theme and are situated in the bottom-right portion.

A four-period Thematic Evolution Map has been constructed to analyze the themes' transformation and progression over the years. The Thematic Evolution Map consists of diverse nodes, distinguished by colors and sizes, formed by the keywords. The size of the nodes is directly proportional to the number of keywords. Interconnecting lines among the nodes illustrate the direction of thematic cluster evolution[18].

Ethics

For the analysis in the article, ultimately, open sources were used. The article does not contain any human or animal elements. Therefore, ethics committee permission is not required.

RESULTS

Basic structure analysis

The included corpus comprises 11930 articles generated between 1989 and 2022. These articles have been disseminated across 292 distinct journals. The cumulative assembly of authors exceeds a staggering 43000 individuals. Manifesting a noteworthy annual escalation at 18.76%, the per-article citation quotient nearly approximates 35 (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Main information.

The number of published articles has shown an ascending trajectory until 2018. The zenith in terms of article count was reached in the year 2012. The year 1993 stands as the epoch in which these articles garnered the highest citation frequency. Notably, the annual mean citation rate for articles dated in 2020 stands at 2.4. This holds significance due to the inadequate temporal span for the recent articles to amass citations. R² (coefficient of determination) is close to unity. This accentuates the commendable representation of values about articles and citations by the regression line (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Annual scientific production and average citation per year.

Countries, authors, sources, and documents analysis

The countries of origin of the corresponding authors of the articles are delineated for the top 25 nations, as illustrated in Figure 4. Concerning the cumulative count of articles, the leading three countries are the United States, Japan, and Italy. In the case of articles featuring authors from multiple countries, the sequence is as follows: United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. Belgium has the highest MCP value, attaining a noteworthy index of 0.585.

Figure 4 Corresponding author’s country. SCP: Single-country publications; MCP: Multiple-country publications.

Figure 5 presents statistics about the most influential top 20 authors based on their H-index values. Within the scope of our study, Rice CM is the author with the highest recorded H-index and G-index values. The respective H and G-index values attributed to this author are 59 and 103. It is essential to underscore that Bartenschlager R. and Dubuisson J. closely trail this author across both indices.

Figure 5 Author impact.

From the perspective of the M-index, Rice CM is the most influential author, akin to other indices. Bartenschlager R, Dore GJ, and Dubuisson J. Rice CM follow this author with the highest aggregate citation count. Wakita T holds the record for the most prolific article publications. Noteworthy is Dore GJ, who embarked on their publishing journey later than other researchers yet has garnered attention with 99 articles and 4502 citations.

Having authored 48 articles, Houghton M has achieved 147 citations per article citation-to-article ratio, bolstered by a substantial 7056 citations. Bartenschlager R and Rice CM follow this trend.

Suzuki T emerges as the author with the most extended duration of article production in the field of HCV. Since 1991, Suzuki T's publishing activities have remained active (Figure 6). Among the foremost 20 authors, 11 maintain their scholarly output. Notably in 2013, Soriano V produced 16 articles, earning the accolade of the most prolific author within a year. Furthermore, in 2014, Dore GJ acquired 87 citations, establishing their prominence as the most referenced author within a year.

Figure 6 Top-authors’ production over time. TC: Total citation.

According to the H-index ranking, the first 20 journals are listed in Table 1. These journals have a collective publication share of 61.09% of the total articles. The Journal of Virology claims the highest H- and G-index values. The Journal of Viral Hepatitis contributed 10.94% of the articles, whereas the Journal of Virology published 9.68%. The Journal of Virology boasts the highest citation frequency, followed by the Journal of Viral Hepatitis. The Journal of Immunology holds the pinnacle regarding the average citation per article. Plos Pathogens, a journal that commenced its publication trajectory later than its counterparts, has rapidly garnered a substantial impact. Despite its delayed inception in 2007, the journal's H- and G-index values stand at 53 and 89, respectively.

Table 1 Source local impact.

Journal	H-index	G-index	TC	NP	TC/NP	PY_start
Journal of Virology	159	233	100986	1155	87.4	1991
Clinical Infectious Diseases	80	121	21782	441	49.4	1992
Journal of Infectious Diseases	80	122	23751	465	51.1	1990
Journal of General Virology	76	130	22469	423	53.1	1990
Journal of viral hepatitis	72	101	30726	1305	23.5	1995
Journal of Medical Virology	66	90	23289	895	26.0	1990
Virology	66	107	15059	271	55.6	1992
Journal of Clinical Microbiology	62	94	14249	349	40.8	1991
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy	59	91	11924	281	42.4	1996
Transplantation	59	83	9569	221	43.3	1991
Journal of Immunology	53	92	8595	98	87.7	1991
Plos Pathogens	53	89	8234	114	72.2	2007
AIDS	52	85	9838	263	37.4	1995
Antiviral Therapy	35	46	3501	173	20.2	1998
Journal of Clinical Virology	34	49	3665	184	19.9	1999
JAIDS-Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome	33	51	3092	99	31.2	2002
Antiviral Research	32	51	3715	158	23.5	1994
Clinical and Experimental Immunology	32	50	2983	88	33.9	1992
International Virology	32	46	2921	144	20.3	1994
Journal of Virology Methods	30	48	3310	162	20.4	1991

NP: Number of publications; TC: Total citations; PY: Publication year.

The most extensively referenced 20 articles based on LC values are presented in Table 2. Notably, the works authored by Simmonds P (1993), Takamizawa A (1991), and Blight KJ (2002) exhibit the highest LC values within this compilation. Conversely, concerning GC values, the articles authored by Okamoto H (1992), Simmonds P (1993), and Lechner F (2000) manifest as prominently significant. The pinnacle LC/YYP value resides within the work of Blight KJ (2002), whereas the highest GC/YYP value finds its place within the discourse of Lechner F (2000). Demonstrating utmost contemporary influence, the article authored by Bartosch B (2003) distinguishes itself. The LC and GC values stand at 264 and 888, respectively.

Table 2 Most local cited documents.

Author	Journal	Year	LC	LC/YYP	GC	GC/YYP	LC/GC ratio
Simmonds P	Journal of General Virology	1993	419	13.967	1248	41.600	33.57
Takamizawa A	Journal of Virology	1991	353	11.031	921	28.781	38.33
Blight KJ	Journal of Virology	2002	346	16.476	950	45.238	36.42
Grarakoul A	Journal of Virology	1993	331	11.033	801	26.700	41.32
Okamoto H	Journal of Experimental Medicine	1992	323	10.419	1262	40.710	25.59
Lechner F	Journal of Experimental Medicine	2000	288	12.522	1066	46.348	27.02
Bartosch B	Journal of Experimental Medicine	2003	264	13.200	888	44.400	29.73
Thimme R	Journal of Experimental Medicine	2001	253	11.500	952	43.273	26.58
Grarakoul A	Journal of Virology	1993	217	7.233	543	18.100	39.96
Stuyver L	Journal of General Virology	1993	215	7.167	695	23.167	30.94
Okamoto H	Virology	1992	205	6.613	551	17.774	37.21
Okamoto H	Journal of General Virology	1991	197	6.156	434	13.563	45.39
Tsukiyamakoha K	Journal of Virology	1992	195	6.290	777	25.065	25.10
Gale MJ	Virology	1997	195	7.500	675	25.962	28.89
Graham CS	Clinical Infectious Diseases	2001	195	8.864	734	33.364	26.57
Egger D	Journal of Virology	2002	193	9.190	644	30.667	29.97
Cooper S	Immunity	1999	190	7.917	675	28.125	28.15
Chan SW	Journal of General Virology	1992	180	5.806	407	13.129	44.23
Dubuisson J	Journal of Virology	1994	179	6.172	350	12.069	51.14
Krieger N	Journal of Virology	2001	179	8.136	431	19.591	41.53

YP: Year of publication; LC: Local citations; YYP: Year 2023-year of publication; GC: Global citations.

Co-citation network

The initial 30 articles were analyzed (Figure 7). The co-citation network is comprised of three distinct clusters denoted by chromatic circles. These clusters consist of 13, 9, and 8 articles, respectively, with each circle serving as a graphical representation of an individual article. Foremost among these is the article authored by Choo QL (1989), distinguished by the highest frequency of shared citations. Subsequently, in prominence, the articles authored by Fried MW (2002) and Manns MP (2001) follow. The thickness of the interconnecting lines signifies the preeminence of the article dyad composed of Fried MW (2002) and Manns MP (2001), the most prominently referenced pair within the network.

Figure 7 Papers co-citation network.

The co-citation network is partitioned into three clusters of colored circles (Figure 8). The red, blue, and green clusters have 12, 12, and 6 authors, respectively. Within the red cluster, the preeminent recipient of citations is the entity denoted as Anonymous, symbolizing institutional publications. The dominant author within the blue cluster is Choo QL. Authors with the highest shared citation incidences include Choo QL, Simmonds P, and Manns MP. By line thicknesses, the most heavily co-cited authors are Manns MP–Fried MW, Choo QL–Kuo G, and Wakita T–Lindenbach BD.

Figure 8 Authors co-citation network.

Sources co-citation network analysis is shown in Figure 9. It reveals the presence of two distinct clusters of nodes. Each node assumes the representation of a journal. The cluster denoted by red exhibits a heightened degree of centrality and encompasses 16 distinct journals. Notably, the journal "Hepatology" is central to this cluster. Among the journals encompassed by this cluster, "Gastroenterology" and "New England Journal of Medicine" are the most prevalent instances of shared citations. Conversely, within the blue cluster comprising 14 journals, the journal predominantly cited is the "Journal of Virology". The thickness of the connecting lines between journals indicates the extent of mutual citations, with the most substantial connection observed between "Hepatology" and "Journal of Hepatology".

Figure 9 Sources co-citation network.

Authors’ keyword analysis

Figures 10 and 11 present the first 50 of the most frequently employed keywords and trend topics. The word cloud and frequency table discern the most recurrent keywords.

Figure 10 Word cloud.

Figure 11 Trend topics.

Within the scrutinized analyses, between 1992 and 2000, terms such as HCV, non-a autoimmune hepatitis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were more frequently utilized. In contrast, in contemporary times, keywords such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), substance use, elimination, direct-acting antivirals, and sofosbuvir have surged as predominant trends. Considering the proportional sizes of the circles, it is evident that the HCV attained its zenith of utilization in 2012, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2014, chronic hepatitis C in 2011, ribavirin in 2010, and interferon in 2006.

Figure 12 depicts a network of co-occurrences among the keywords. The keywords are categorized into four clusters, distinguished by different colors. The red cluster represents HCV, while the blue one signifies hepatitis C-related keywords. Notably, the green and purple clusters do not exhibit any dominant keywords. Among the pairs of keywords, the co-occurrence of the most significant magnitude is observed in HCV–HIV, HCV–interferon, and HCV–ribavirin, as indicated by the thickness of the connecting lines.

Figure 12 Authors’ keywords co-occurrence network.

Conceptual structure analysis

The thematic map or strategic diagram is shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13 Thematic map.

Keywords are chronic hepatitis C in 1989-2010, hepatitis C and ribavirin in 2011-2015, chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis C, and direct-acting antivirals in 2016-2019, and HCV, epidemiology, and sofosbuvir in 2020-2022.

In this case, the main themes between 2020-2022, which is the last period and represents our day in the best way, are examined in more detail: (1) HCV and genotype; (2) viral hepatitis, direct acting antivirals, and epidemiology; (3) direct-acting antiviral, sustained virological response, and sofosbuvir; and (4) hepatitis C, HIV, and people who inject drug.

In order to examine the change and development of HCV themes over the years, the four-period thematic evolution mapping in Figure 14 was created.

Figure 14 Thematic evolution (1989–2022).

Upon scrutinizing the diagram, it becomes evident that the theme of hepatitis C is consistently present throughout each defined time interval. Within the timeframe spanning from 2020 to 2022, the thematic cluster encompassing hepatitis C is intricately associated with subjects including sofosbuvir, direct acting antivirals, epidemiology, coinfection, cytokines, diagnostics, and HCV screening. During this identical period, the thematic prominence of hepatitis C is notably influenced by its interconnectedness with the subjects of hepatitis C itself and direct-acting antiviral agents.

DISCUSSION

Scientific data is undergoing an exponential surge today, and researchers need help accessing this voluminous information. The science mapping analysis method has been devised to address this issue. This program allows users to scrutinize the structure and evolution of scientific disciplines. It furnishes guiding insights to administrators, funding entities, and academicians[19].

Scientific mapping analysis visualizes and examines information. It leverages advanced computational techniques and bibliometric data for analysis. Through this means, fundamental scientific trends are delineated, and scholarly works are scrutinized. Relationships among authors, institutions, and research topics are analyzed. This analysis is sought after to comprehend the dynamics of scientific domains[8].

The foundation of scientific mapping rests upon an exhaustive perusal of the scientific literature from comprehensive databases. Bibliometric data such as citations and publication dates from diverse networks and diagrams. These networks and diagrams constitute the backbone for identifying impactful works and trends. Scientific mapping can also be characterized as text mining, wherein algorithms are used to analyze scientific content and keywords. The program's cornerstone lies in this analysis. Through sophisticated visualization techniques, it conveys the thematic and intellectual landscape of the desired field of science[20].

Bibliometrics, an R-based software package, has become a significant tool in science mapping. This software has been effectively employed in our study. Within our research, utilizing Bibliometrix allows for analyzing H-, G-, and M-indices and authorship and citation networks. Moreover, the outcomes of these analyses can be aptly visualized[21].

Scholars hold paramount importance in the systematic examination of knowledge dissemination. In this domain, Bibliometrix has been harnessed with prowess. Acknowledged as essential in advancing researchers' analytical capacities and accessing evidence-based data, Bibliometrix proficiently enhances scholarly pursuits[22].

The overarching findings of our study have been presented in a tabular format. Within the scope of the analysis, 11930 documents, 43207 authors, and 292 sources were scrutinized. The year 2012 has the highest NP concerning HCV. In 1989, Houghton et al[23] successfully cloned the viral genome, coining the term HCV[23]. Subsequently, assays for HCV detection were developed, eliminating the virus from blood transfusions[24]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set forth a goal for global HCV elimination by the year 2030[25]. This objective hinges upon swift diagnostic modalities and efficacious and reachable therapeutic measures. In the realm of HCV treatment, the inaugural pharmacological regimen is interferon-α-2b[26]. In the 1990s, Ribavirin entered the scene as a monotherapy option. This therapeutic landscape paved the way for the subsequent introduction of pegylated interferon and pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin regimens[27]. Integrating direct-acting antiviral agents into the therapeutic arsenal aligns with 2011[28]. These advancements in the treatment paradigm may have influenced the annual count of articles within the field.

In our study, it has been determined that the researcher with the highest H-index and G-index values is Charles M. Rice. This researcher, holding the title of professor, is affiliated with Rockefeller University. He was honored with the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2020. His primary field of expertise lies within virology. Professor Rice is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Following Charles M. Rice, the researcher with the highest H- and g-index values is Ralf Bartenschlager. Professor Bartenschlager conducts research in the domain of molecular virology at Heidelberg University. His fundamental area of interest is the HCV replication cycle's molecular and cellular underpinnings. Simultaneously, he is associated with the German Cancer Research Center[29]. Charles M. Rice and Ralf Bartenschlager are globally acknowledged for their contributions to HCV research. The most prolific author in terms of publication volume is Takaji Wakita. This Japanese virologist collaborated with Bartenschlager. Their collaborative efforts revolutionized the isolation of HCV[30]. Wakita holds the position of the director at the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases. He boasts a longstanding engagement in HCV research. His primary research areas encompass HCV replication, pathogenesis, and therapeutics[31]. The multitude of Wakita's publications is evidence of his productivity as a scientist. This phenomenon can be seen in the diagram showing the authors' production over time. Another noteworthy aspect is Charles M. Rice's prominent position in the M-index. This index is formulated to evaluate emerging researchers in academia. The success reflected in Charles M. Rice's M-index stems from the persistent intensity of his research throughout his academic trajectory. Michael Houghton, having authored 48 articles, has garnered a remarkable 7056 citations, equating to a ratio of 147 citations per article. Houghton's achievement of this elevated citation count is significantly attributed to his groundbreaking role as the first scientist to clone the HCV genome in 1989[23].

9.68% of all articles have been published in the Journal of Virology, which holds the highest H and G-index values. The Journal of Viral Hepatitis has published 10.94% of all articles. Regarding H and G-index values, the Journal of Virology is followed by the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The Journal of Virology, a monthly peer-reviewed publication, serves as the official journal of the American Society for Microbiology and has been circulating since 1967[32]. The Journal of Viral Hepatitis has been published since 1994 as a monthly peer-reviewed journal under the aegis of Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd[33]. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, initiated in 1904, is published under the authority of the Infectious Diseases Society of America[34].

The article with the highest LC value was authored by Simmonds et al[35] in 1993. This article established classifications of HCV variants, and criteria for the classification of yet-to-be-discovered variants were delineated[35]. The 1991 publication by Takamizawa et al[36], which delved into the structure and organization of the HCV genome, ranks second in terms of LC values[36]. Notably, a recent impactful work by Bartosch et al[37], published in 2003, discusses pseudo-particles, suggesting their suitability as targets for antiviral treatments[37]. The significance of examining pivotal topics of their respective eras is a pivotal factor contributing to the substantial citations garnered by these articles.

Keyword analysis reveals that between 1992 and 2000, the terms "Hepatitis C Virus" "Non-A Autoimmune Hepatitis", and "PCR" demonstrated pronounced trends. Diagnosis of HCV relies on analyses of HCV RNA and recombinant HCV polyprotein antibodies. Antibodies targeting the core, NS4, NS3, and NS5 sequences are pursued[38]. The preeminence of PCR analysis as the foundational diagnostic method underscores its enduring trend.

COVID-19, substance use, elimination, direct-acting antivirals, and sofosbuvir have emerged as trends in contemporary times. Numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of COVID-19 on HCV-infected patients during the pandemic era[39-41]. This circumstance has notably contributed to the recent preference for COVID-19 as a primary keyword. HCV is primarily transmitted through blood exposure[42]. Substance use has been identified to escalate the prevalence of HCV. Substance use and opioid misuse pose substantial health predicaments and have witnessed a rapid escalation in recent years[43]. In these contexts, HCV infection and associated hepatic pathologies have surged. The presence of underlying psychological disorders and limited access to healthcare further exacerbate the predicament associated with substance use. This scenario underscores the covert peril lurking beneath substance use, which poses an escalating threat to public health, chiefly through the increased dissemination of HCV[44]. HCV infection is acknowledged as a global menace, having emerged as a prominent cause of mortality. Most deaths attributed to viral hepatitis are linked to HCV and hepatitis B virus infections[25]. This grave reality prompted the WHO to take action, leading to adopting the strategy to eliminate HCV by 2030[25]. This strategic approach aims to identify at least 90% of HCV carriers and treat at least 80%[45]. In the realm of HCV infection, the advent of direct-acting antivirals or direct-acting agents in 2011 has been instrumental. This therapeutic intervention offers a durable virological response and presents a favorable profile regarding minimal adverse effects. Direct-acting agents function by inhibiting non-structural (NS) HCV proteins essential for viral replication. Agents targeting NS3/4A, NS5A, and NS5B inhibition are available. Currently, a fundamental approach in treatment involves combinations of two or more direct-acting agents[46]. Sofosbuvir operates as an NS5B inhibitor, exerting its effect through engagement with an oral nucleotide analog of NS5B. The efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimens are notably acclaimed for managing diverse genotypes of HCV. The successful integration of ribavirin and daklatasvir has further enhanced treatment outcomes[47].

CONCLUSION

Our study exhibits several strengths and limitations. Primarily, its robust construction stands out as a significant strength. Advanced statistical analyses have been employed in the research. Among the limitations, the reliance solely on the WoS database is notable. Including diverse databases in the analyses might enhance the reliability of the outcomes.