Hepatitis C virus micro-elimination: Where do we stand?

A systematic PCR record-based re-call of HCV-RNA-positive people enables re-linkage to care and HCV elimination in Austria - The ELIMINATE project

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Identification of people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) via readily available laboratory records could be a key strategy for macro-elimination, aligning with the WHO elimination goal. Therefore, the ELIMINATE(ELIMINation of HCV in AusTria East) project aimed to systematically re-link people with a 'last-positive' HCV-RNA PCR record to care.

METHODS

In 10 major liver centres in Eastern Austria, a systematic readout of 'last-positive' HCV-RNA PCR test records obtained between 2008 and 2020 were conducted and linked to available patient contact data. Between 2020 and 2023, individuals were contacted first by phone, then by letter, to inform them about the availability of effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and invite them for pre-treatment evaluation.

RESULTS

The overall cohort of last-positive HCV+ individuals included 5695 subjects (62.5% males, mean age 57.3 ± 17.3 years); of note, 1931 (34%) of them had died and 759 (13%) individuals had no valid contact information. Of the remaining 3005 individuals, 1171 (40.0%) had already achieved sustained virological response (SVR) at the time of re-call. We successfully reached 617 (20.5%), of whom 417 (67.6%) attended their pre-treatment visit, and 397 (64.3%) commenced DAA-therapy. HCV cure has been confirmed in 326 individuals, corresponding to an SVR rate of 82.1%.

CONCLUSION

The ELIMINATE project identified 5695 people living with HCV who were 'lost to care' despite documented HCV viraemia. While invalid contact data were an evident barrier to HCV elimination, premature deaths among the cohort underscored the severity of untreated HCV. The implementation of a systematic HCV-RNA PCR recorded-based re-call workflow represents an effective strategy supporting the WHO goal of HCV elimination.

Historical drivers of HCV Subtypes 1b and 3a in Thailand and 6f in Phetchabun, an HCV endemic area of the country

The World Health Organization has set a target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public threat by 2030. In pursuit of this goal, Thailand initiated a hepatitis C virus (HCV) microelimination project targeting Phetchabun province, a well-recognized high-burden HCV endemic area. However, the historical transmission dynamics of HCV in Phetchabun, and in Thailand in general, remain unclear. This study investigates the epidemic histories of HCV in Phetchabun, focusing on Subtypes 1b, 3a, and 6f, and their relationship with HCV in other regions of Thailand, using molecular phylogenetic analyses. Our results reveal nationwide the presence of Subtypes 1b and 3a, while Subtype 6f is mainly confined to Phetchabun. The initial spread of Subtype 1b was inferred to coincide with World War II and the period of suboptimal medical and hygienic standards in Thai blood transfusion services, suggesting a correlation between the two. The early expansion of Subtype 3a was, on the other hand, found to correlate with the epidemic of intravenous drug use in Thailand during the time of Vietnam War. The early expansion of Subtype 6f, in contrast, appears to coincide with the period of severe regional political conflict and social and economic instability. All these findings suggest the complex interplay between social determinants of health and HCV transmission. Post the mid-1990s/early 2000s, all subtypes showed significantly reduced population growth rates, aligning with improvements in blood transfusion safety standards, the nationwide "War on Drugs" policy, and enhanced accessibility to public healthcare and HCV treatments. These combined efforts likely have contributed to curbing the spread of HCV in Thailand. Nevertheless, our analyses reveal that the prevalence of HCV in Thailand remains high overall, emphasizing the need for further research and a nationwide approach to more effectively reduce the HCV burden in Thailand.

Expanding access to healthcare for people who use drugs and sex workers: hepatitis C elimination implications from a qualitative study of healthcare experiences in British Columbia, Canada

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health threat in Canada. In British Columbia (BC) province, 1.6% of the population had been exposed to HCV by 2012. Prevalence and incidence of HCV are very high in populations of people who use drugs (PWUD) and sex workers (SW), who may experience unique barriers to healthcare. Consequently, they are less likely to be treated for HCV. Overcoming these barriers is critical for HCV elimination. This research sought to explore the healthcare experiences of PWUD and SW and how these experiences impact their willingness to engage in healthcare in the future, including HCV care.

METHODS

Interpretive Description guided this qualitative study of healthcare experiences in BC, underpinned by the Health Stigma and Discrimination framework. The study team included people with living/lived experience of drug use, sex work, and HCV. Twenty-five participants completed in-depth semi-structured interviews on their previous healthcare and HCV-related experiences. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes.

RESULTS

Three major themes were identified in our analysis. First, participants reported common experiences of delay and refusal of care by healthcare providers, with many negative healthcare encounters perceived as rooted in institutional culture reflecting societal stigma. Second, participants discussed their choice to engage in or avoid healthcare. Many avoided all but emergency care following negative experiences in any kind of healthcare. Third, participants described the roles of respect, stigma, dignity, fear, and trust in communication in healthcare relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare experiences shared by participants pointed to ways that better understanding and communication by healthcare providers could support positive change in healthcare encounters of PWUD and SW, who are at high risk of HCV infection. More positive healthcare encounters could lead to increased healthcare engagement which is essential for HCV elimination.

[The status of national and global hepatitis C elimination]

BACKGROUND

In 2016, the World Health Organization propagated the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 in order to address the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis. This article looks at the progress that has been made globally and in Germany since 2016.

METHODS

A selective literature search was conducted, with particular focus on studies and reviews relating to the elimination of hepatitis C infection both globally and in Germany.

RESULTS

In 2020, 56.8 million HCV infections were counted worldwide, which corresponds to a decline of 6.8 million since 2015. Countries that made a significant contribution to the elimination figures during this period included Egypt, Georgia, and Iceland, which were able to drastically reduce the number of HCV infections by means of national commitment in politics and healthcare. With regard to the status of elimination in Germany, the inclusion of screening for viral hepatitis in the general health check-up ("Check-up 35") in 2022/2023 has led to a significant increase in HCV case numbers. Globally and in Germany, men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, migrants, and prison inmates are particularly vulnerable groups with regard to HCV infection.

CONCLUSION

In order to sustainably eliminate HCV, it is necessary to optimize education and prevention strategies in risk groups. With regard to the subgroup of prison inmates, political measures must be used to create a standardized approach in prison medicine. At a global level, elimination in low- and middle-income countries needs to be promoted in the future.

Aspects that facilitate access to care for viral hepatitis: An evaluative research

BACKGROUND

Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern worldwide.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyze the factors that facilitate access to care for viral hepatitis.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Using a sequential mixed method, this evaluation research was conducted in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

METHODS

Mapping of references and selection of regions were made based on the quantity and heterogeneity of services. The stakeholders, including the managers of the State Department of Health and professionals from reference services, were identified. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted using content analysis and discussions guided by the dimensions of the analysis model of universal access to health services.

RESULTS

In the political dimension, decentralizing services and adhering to the Intermunicipal Health Consortium are highly encouraged. In the economic-social dimension, a commitment exists to allocate public funds for the expansion of referral services and subsidies to support users in their travel for appointments, medications, and examinations. In the organizational dimension, the availability of inputs for testing, definition of user flow, ease of scheduling appointments, coordination by primary care in testing, collaboration following the guidelines and protocols, and engagement in extramural activities are guaranteed. In the technical dimension, professionals actively commit to the service and offer different opening hours, guarantee the presence of an infectious physician, expand training opportunities, and establish intersectoral partnerships. In the symbolic dimension, professionals actively listen to the experiences of users throughout their care trajectory and demonstrate empathy.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are crucial for improving comprehensiveness, but necessitate managerial efforts to enhance regional governance.

Hospital-based screening outperforms primary care screening as a means of achieving hepatitis C virus micro-elimination

AIM

To assess the respective performances of a HCV screening program in a hospital setting and a HCV screening model applied concomitantly in a primary care centre.

METHODS

Adult patients consecutively admitted to hospital for ambulatory surgery were screened for anti-HCV antibodies (hospital screening cohort, HPSC), as were patients receiving blood tests for medical reasons in a primary care centre (primary care screening cohort, PCSC). Serum anti-HCV and HCV RNA levels were tested by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

Seroprevalence of HCV infection was 2.2 % in the HPSC and 1.4 % in the PCSC (p = 0.044). All viraemic patients (0.2 % in HPSC and 0.1 % in PCSC) were treated with direct-acting antivirals and 85.7 % experienced a sustained virological response.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital-based HCV screening outperformed primary care-centered screening, significantly increasing HCV case findings.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Infections in a Large Belgian Cohort Using Next-Generation Sequencing of Full-Length Genomes

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in Western countries is primarily perpetuated by the sub-populations of men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID). Understanding the dynamics of transmission in these communities is crucial for removing the remaining hurdles towards HCV elimination. We sequenced 269 annotated HCV plasma samples using probe enrichment and next-generation sequencing, obtaining 224 open reading frames of HCV (OR497849-OR498072). Maximum likelihood phylogenies were generated on the four most prevalent subtypes in this study (HCV1a, 1b, 3a, 4d) with a subsequent transmission cluster analysis. The highest rate of clustering was observed for HCV4d samples (13/17 (76.47%)). The second highest rate of clustering was observed in HCV1a samples (42/78 (53.85%)) with significant association with HIV-positive MSM. HCV1b and HCV3a had very low rates of clustering (2/83 (2.41%) and (0/29)). The spread of the prevalent subtype HCV1b appears to have been largely curtailed, and we demonstrate the onwards transmission of HCV1a and HCV4d in the HIV-positive MSM population across municipal borders. More systematic data collection and sequencing is needed to allow a better understanding of the HCV transmission among the community of PWID and overcome the remaining barriers for HCV elimination in Belgium.

Reducing health inequalities by improving access to hepatitis C testing and treatment in marginalised populations

Eugenia Moyo-Hlahla (eugenia.moyo@nhs.net) and Beth Crossland, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, winners of the Gold Award in the Infection Prevention Nurse of the Year category of the BJN Awards 2023.

Seroprevalence and Genotype Diversity of Hepatitis C Virus in the Caribbean-A Review

Hepatitis C (HCV) continues to present a global public health challenge, with no vaccine available for prevention. Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to cure HCV, it remains prevalent in many regions including the Caribbean. As efforts are made to eliminate HCV from the region, existing barriers, such as the high cost of DAAs and lack of an established database of HCV cases within the Caribbean, must be addressed. This review seeks to assess epidemiologic trends (seroprevalence and genotypic diversity) of HCV in the Caribbean and identify gaps in surveillance of the disease. The literature for the period 1 January 2005 to October 2022 was reviewed to gather country-specific data on HCV across the Caribbean. References were identified through indexed journals accessed through established databases using the following keywords: Caribbean, genotype distribution, and general epidemiologic characteristics. The usage pattern of HCV drugs was determined from information obtained from pharmacists across the Caribbean including Jamaica. The prevalence of HCV in the Caribbean was 1.5%; the region should therefore be considered an area of moderate HCV prevalence. The prevalence of HCV among intravenous drug users (21.9-58.8%), persons living with HIV/AIDS (0.8 to 58.5%), prisoners (32.8-64%), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (0.8-6.9%) was generally higher than in the general population (0.8-2.3%). Genotype 1 (83%) was most prevalent followed by genotypes 2 (7.2%) and 3 (2.1%), respectively. Less than 50% of countries in the Caribbean have reliable or well-curated surveillance data on HCV. Drugs currently being used for treatment of HCV infections across the Caribbean include Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir). Some of these drugs are only available in the private sector and are sourced externally whenever needed. While trends point to a potentially higher prevalence of HCV, it will require well-designed random surveys to obtain better estimates of the infection seroprevalence, supported by strong public health laboratory systems. DAAs that are pan-genotypic should translate into treatments that are affordable, accessible, and available to improve cure rates and reduce the HCV burden in the population.

Mortality in hepatitis C virus-cured vs. hepatitis C virus-uninfected people with HIV

OBJECTIVE

It is unknown whether hepatitis C virus (HCV)-cured people with HIV (PWH) without cirrhosis reached the same mortality risk as HCV-uninfected PWH. We aimed to compare mortality in PWH cured of HCV by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to mortality in individuals with HIV monoinfection.

DESIGN

Nationwide hospital cohort.

METHODS

HIV-controlled participants without cirrhosis and HCV-cured by DAAs started between September 2013 and September 2020, were matched on age (±5 years), sex, HIV transmission group, AIDS status, and body mass index (BMI) (±1 kg/m 2 ) to up to 10 participants with a virally suppressed HIV monoinfection followed at the time of HCV cure ±6 months. Poisson regression models with robust variance estimates were used to compare mortality in both groups after adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

The analysis included 3961 HCV-cured PWH (G1) and 33 872 HCV-uninfected PWH (G2). Median follow-up was 3.7 years in G1 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.0-4.6], and 3.3 years (IQR: 1.7-4.4) in G2. Median age was 52.0 years (IQR: 47.0-56.0), and 29 116 (77.0%) were men. There were 150 deaths in G1 [adjusted incidence rate (aIR): 12.2/1000 person-years] and 509 (aIR: 6.3/1000 person-years) in G2, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-2.7]. The risk remained elevated 12 months post HCV cure (IRR: 2.4 [95% CI, 1.6-3.5]). Non-AIDS/non-liver-related malignancy was the most common cause of death in G1 (28 deaths).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite HCV cure and HIV viral suppression, after controlling on factors related to mortality, DAA-cured PWH without cirrhosis remain at higher risk of all-cause mortality than people with HIV monoinfection. A better understanding of the determinants of mortality is needed in this population.

Hepatitis C micro-elimination through the retrieval strategy of patients lost to follow-up

BACKGROUND AND AIM

World Health Organization sets up an ambitious and attainable goal to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030. The previous diagnosed HCV patients lost to follow-up were considered as an important target group for HCV elimination. We conducted a call back program to retrieve the lost to follow-up HCV patients and link them to care in our hospital. By analyzing and comparing our result with that from other studies, we wish to improve our retrieval strategy and provide our experience to the general communities.

METHODS

A list of the patients with a medical record showing seropositive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV Ab) from 2004 to 2017 was retrieved by the department of intelligent technology of our hospital. Three dedicated staff members reviewed the patients' electronic medical records (EMRs) and recruited the patient lost follow-up to the call back program. The staff members contacted the qualified patients by telephone and inquired about their opinions for treating their chronic HCV infection. We also informed the patients about the retrieval strategy and why we contact them. As our National Health Insurance request, we gave all patient one informed consent for hepatitis C treatment. Informed consents have been obtained from all patients. Referrals to our gastroenterology unit (GU) were arranged for the patients who would like to continue their chronic HCV care in our hospital.

RESULTS

There were 31,275 anti-HCV positive patients. We included 11,934 patients (38.2%) into the call back system and contacted them by telephone. Based on the response to our call, we ascertained 1277 eligible cases (10.7%) for retrieval. The patients who were younger (< 55), lived in Taoyaun City or had tested positive for anti-HCV Ab at the department of internal medicine department had an increased rate of successful call back. There were 563 patients (44.1%) returning to our GU. Of them, 354 patients (62.9%) were positive for HCV viremia. 323 patients (91.2%) received the DAAs treatment. The SVR12 with Grazoprevir + elbasvir, Glecaprevir + pibrentasvir, Sofosbuvir + ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir + velpatasvir were 97.9%, 98.8%, 100% and 97.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Call back system can expand our reach to those unaware or ignoring chronic HCV infection patients and link them to treatment.

Effectiveness of hepatitis C antiviral treatment and feasibility of hepatitis C elimination goal

OBJECTIVES

Second-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have shown high efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in clinical trials. This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness in real-life conditions and their capacity to eliminate HCV infection in the general population.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, patients with active HCV infection who commenced DAA treatment between 2015 and 2020 in Navarre, Spain, were studied. Sustained virological response (SVR), defined as an undetectable viral load 12 weeks after the end of treatment, was evaluated until the end of 2021.

RESULTS

Of a total 1366 HCV-infected patients that commenced treatment, 19.3% (n = 263) were HIV-coinfected. After the first DAA treatment, SVR was achieved in 96.6% (n = 1320/1366) of patients and in 97.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 96.6%-98.3%) of those who completed treatment (per-protocol analysis; n = 1320/1351). SVR was achieved in 97.9% (n = 1066/1089) and 96.9% (n = 254/262) of mono-infected and HIV-coinfected patients, respectively. Thirty-one patients had virological failure due to non-response (n = 19), poor compliance (n = 9), and with adverse events (n = 3). Of 27 patients that received a second treatment, 24 attained SVR (one after a third treatment), two died, and one that did not achieve SVR declined a third treatment. Three patients were re-infected, re-treated, and achieved SVR. At the end of the study, 1344 patients (98.4%, 95% CI 97.6%-98.9%) had achieved SVR, and only 1.8% needed more than one course of treatment. All patients who completed the treatment and were followed-up achieved SVR.

CONCLUSION

With DAAs, SVR was achieved in all patients with active HCV infection who completed follow-up, and a second course of treatment was only necessary in a small proportion of patients. Adherence to treatment is essential for HCV infection elimination.

Regional progress towards hepatitis C elimination in the Western Pacific Region, 2015-2020

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection is a major global public health threat and in 2019 there were an estimated 58 million infected globally and 290,000 deaths. Elimination of viral hepatitis B/C as a public health threat by 2030 is defined as a 90% incidence reduction and a 65% mortality reduction. The Western Pacific region is one of the most affected regions with 10 million people living with HCV, one-fifth of the global burden. We review progress towards HCV elimination in the Western Pacific region since 2015. Key developments in the region, which comprises of 37 high-and-middle-income countries, include the following: 20 countries have national hepatitis action plans, 19 have conducted recent disease burden and investment cases, 10 have scaled-up hepatitis services at primary health care level, and in 11 countries, domestic financing including social health insurance support DAA costs. We highlight six countries' experience in navigating the path towards HCV elimination: Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, and Viet Nam. Future initiatives to accelerate elimination are expanding access to community-based testing using HCV point-of-care tests among at-risk and general populations; adopting decentralized and integrated HCV one-stop services at harm reduction sites, detention settings and primary care; expanding treatment to include children and adolescents; address stigma and discrimination; and ensuring sustainable financing through domestic resources to scale-up testing, treatment and prevention. The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on hepatitis response across the region on community and facility-based testing, treatment initiation, monitoring and cancer screening, which is projected to delay elimination goals.

Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence and Risk Factors in a Village in Northeastern Romania-A Population-Based Screening-The First Step to Viral Micro-Elimination

(1) Background: The World Health Organization adopted a strategy for the Global Health Sector on Viral Hepatitis in 2016, with the main objective of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and risk factors in a Romanian village using population-based screening as part of the global C virus eradication program. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective study from March 2019 to February 2020, based on a strategy as part of a project designed to educate, screen, treat and eliminate HCV infection in all adults in a village located in Northeastern Romania. (3) Results: In total, 3507 subjects were invited to be screened by rapid diagnostic orientation tests (RDOT). Overall, 2945 (84%) subjects were tested, out of whom 78 (2.64%) were found to have positive HCV antibodies and were scheduled for further evaluation in a tertiary center of gastroenterology/hepatology in order to be linked to care. In total, 66 (85%) subjects presented for evaluation and 55 (83%) had detectable HCV RNA. Of these, 54 (98%) completed antiviral treatment and 53 (99%) obtained a sustained virological response. (4) Conclusions: The elimination of hepatitis C worldwide has a higher chance of success if micro-elimination strategies based on mass screening are adopted.