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Abstract Details
Hepatitis C: Standard of Treatment and What to Do for Global Elimination
Viruses. 2022 Feb 28;14(3):505. doi: 10.3390/v14030505.
Lorenza Di Marco12, Claudia La Mantia3, Vito Di Marco3
Author information
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy.
Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy.
Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection has a substantial effect on morbidity and mortality worldwide because it is a cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and liver-related death. Direct acting antiviral drugs available today have high efficacy and excellent safety and can be used in all patients with clinically evident chronic liver disease and in groups that demonstrate risk behaviors to reduce the spread of infection. The Global Health Strategy of WHO to eliminate hepatitis infection by 2030 assumes "a 90% reduction in new cases of chronic hepatitis C, a 65% reduction in hepatitis C deaths, and treatment of 80% of eligible people with HCV infections". In this review effective models and strategies for achieving the global elimination of HCV infection are analyzed. The screening strategies must be simple and equally effective in high-risk groups and in the general population; fast and effective models for appropriate diagnosis of liver disease are needed; strategies for direct acting antiviral drug selection must be cost-effective; linkage to care models in populations at risk and in marginalized social classes must be specifically designed and applied; strategies for obtaining an effective vaccine against HCV infection have yet to be developed.