Eradication of hepatitis C infection: The importance of targeting people who inject drugs

Eradication of hepatitis C infection: The importance of targeting people who inject drugs

H epatitis C virus (HCV) affects 170 million people worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality. In high-income countries, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of HCV infection. Until recently HCV eradication seemed unlikely, but recent advances in HCV treatment and improved understanding of the effectiveness of harm-reduction intervention effectiveness give reason f...

to new hepatitis C therapies for people who inject drugs

Hepatitis C virus vaccines among people who inject drugs.

Most people who inject drugs (PWID) are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and PWID have the highest risk of HCV infection of any risk group. The incidence of HCV infection is 5%-25% per year, demonstrating continued need for HCV infection prevention in PWID. Existing data in chimpanzees and PWID suggest that protective immunity against persistent HCV infection is achievable. Due to the hig...

Modelling the burden of hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs in Norway, 1973–2030

BACKGROUND Lack of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence data in (Norwegian) high-risk groups impedes the ability to make informed decisions on prevention measures. Thus we rely on modelling to estimate the incidence and burden of HCV infections. METHODS We constructed a compartmental model for HCV infections in Norway among active and former people who inject drugs (PWIDs). We based yearly trans...

Recommendations for the management of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs.

In high income countries, the majority of new and existing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections occur among people who inject drugs (PWID). In many low and middle income countries large HCV epidemics have also emerged among PWID populations. The burden of HCV-related liver disease among PWID is increasing, but treatment uptake remains extremely low. There are a number of barriers to care which sh...