Clinical Microbiology: Open Access

Abstract

Submerged People with Chronic HCV Infection: An Important Global Health Problem in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents

Cristina Stasi*, Caterina Silvestri and Fabio Voller

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 71 million people have chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. A significant number of these will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Currently, new direct-acting antiviral agents can cure more than 90% of HCV-infected patients. The new WHO strategy has introduced global goals-against viral hepatitis, including a reduction of 30% of new cases of HCV and a 10% reduction in mortality by 2020. However, a considerable number of people in the developing world have very limited access to diagnoses and treatment.

The HCV transmission has considerably changed, reflecting both the evolution of medicine and the health and social changes. The HCV is usually spread through blood-to-blood contact. After the discovery of HCV in 1989, antibody screening has drastically decreased the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis. Currently, in many countries, routine blood donor screening by nucleic acid amplification testing for the presence of HCV RNA has been introduced. It is conceivable that the HCV screening could be offered to people born between the years 1946 and 1964 in the developed world and to people at major risk for HCV infection such as those who have received blood transfusions, blood products or organ donations before the 90s, prisoners, health care workers, drug users, infants born to HCV-infected women.

In conclusion, to achieve the HCV elimination the sanitary programmes should include: Improvement to health care services access, increased screening and new projects to identify a submerged portion of patients with HCV infection.

Published Date: 2024-08-12; Received Date: 2020-06-17