Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
3.8
Journals
Viruses
Special Issues
Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment
share announcement

Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 8537

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tommaso Stroffolini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Azienda Policlinico Umberto, Rome, Italy
Interests: epidemiology; natural history; treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis virus infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues:

Nearly thirty five years ago (1989), hepatitis C virus (HCV), previously named non-A, non-B hepatitis, was the latest pathogenic hepatotropic virus to be identified.

The development of a highly sensitive and specific assay (third-generation ELISA) allowed the assessment of the impact of the virus on the burden of chronic liver diseases and its severe outcomes; moreover, the assay represented an effective tool for preventing the most typical mode of virus transmission (i.e., blood transfusion).

Over the past few decades, several evolutions in our knowledge have been achieved. Since the second half of the 2010s, the availability of oral direct antiviral agents (DAAs) has represented an impressively efficient therapy for HCV able to cure and eradicate the virus in nearly 100% of infected subjects, regardless of their liver disease stage; however, the poor access to and high price of these drugs in developing countries exacerbate the existing inequalities in the developed world.

The lack of an effective vaccine against the virus represents a barrier against the control of HCV infection.

The articles in this Special Issue, entitled “Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment”, will deal with some topics regarding this infection.

Dr. Tommaso Stroffolini
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hepatitis C virus
  • prevalence
  • modes of transmission
  • natural history
  • acute C hepatitis
  • control of infection
  • DAA therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 2675 KiB  
Article
Impact of Public Policy and COVID-19 Pandemic on Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment in France, 2014–2021
by Cécile Brouard, Manon Schwager, Aude Expert, Nicolas Drewniak, Stella Laporal, Grégoire de Lagasnerie and Florence Lot
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050792 - 16 May 2024
Viewed by 1133
Abstract
Given the World Health Organization’s target to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, we assessed the impact of French public policies and the COVID-19 pandemic on HCV testing and initiation of direct-antiviral agents (DAAs). Using the French National Health Data System, [...] Read more.
Given the World Health Organization’s target to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, we assessed the impact of French public policies and the COVID-19 pandemic on HCV testing and initiation of direct-antiviral agents (DAAs). Using the French National Health Data System, we identified individuals living in metropolitan France with at least one reimbursement for an anti-HCV test and those with a first delivery of DAAs between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2021. During this period, the annual number of people tested increased each year between 3.3 (in 2015) and 9.3% (in 2021), except in 2020, with a drop of 8.3%, particularly marked in April (−55.0% compared to February 2020). A return to pre-pandemic testing levels was observed in 2021. The quarterly number of patients initiating DAAs presented an upward trend from Q1-2014 until mid-2017, with greater increases in Q1-2015, and Q1- and Q2-2017, concomitant with DAA access policies and availability of new therapies. Then, quarterly numbers decreased. A 65.5% drop occurred in April compared to February 2020. The declining DAA initiations since mid-2017, despite new measures improving access and screening efforts, could be due to the shrinking pool of patients requiring treatment and a need to increase awareness among undiagnosed infected people. Further action is needed to eliminate HCV in France. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 1131 KiB  
Review
Elimination of HCV Infection: Recent Epidemiological Findings, Barriers, and Strategies for the Coming Years
by Pietro Torre, Mariano Festa, Tommaso Sarcina, Mario Masarone and Marcello Persico
Viruses 2024, 16(11), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16111792 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Hepatitis C is a disease for which in approximately 30 years we have gone from the discovery of the causative agent in 1989, to the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) therapies starting from 2011, and to a proposal for its elimination in 2016, [...] Read more.
Hepatitis C is a disease for which in approximately 30 years we have gone from the discovery of the causative agent in 1989, to the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) therapies starting from 2011, and to a proposal for its elimination in 2016, with some countries being on track for this goal. Elimination efforts, in the absence of a vaccine, rely on prevention measures and antiviral therapies. However, treatment rates have declined in recent years and are not considered adequate to achieve this goal at a global level. This poses a great epidemiological challenge, as HCV in many countries still causes a significant burden and most infected people are not yet diagnosed. Consequently, efforts are needed at different levels with common purposes: to facilitate access to screening and diagnosis and to improve linkage to care pathways. In this review, we discuss the latest epidemiological findings on HCV infection, the obstacles to its elimination, and strategies that are believed to be useful to overcome these obstacles but are applied unevenly across the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 539 KiB  
Review
Acute Hepatitis C: Current Status and Future Perspectives
by Massimo Fasano, Francesco Ieva, Marianna Ciarallo, Bruno Caccianotti and Teresa Antonia Santantonio
Viruses 2024, 16(11), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16111739 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 620
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to represent a significant public health threat and is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal for 2030: to eliminate HCV infection as [...] Read more.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to represent a significant public health threat and is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver-related mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal for 2030: to eliminate HCV infection as a public health threat by reducing new HCV infections by 90% and mortality by 65%. The early phase of HCV infection represents a pivotal point in the evolution of hepatitis C. Despite a favourable course in the majority of patients, approximately 50–70% of individuals with recently acquired hepatitis C will develop a chronic infection, defined as the persistence of viremia for a period exceeding six months. The diagnosis and treatment of a recent HCV infection should facilitate engagement in multidisciplinary care, prevent the development and complications of chronic liver disease, and reduce ongoing transmission in key populations. Therefore, early treatment in the early phase of infection compared with deferring treatment until the chronic infection remains a valid approach in the era of direct antiviral agents (DAAs). This approach is supported by a cost-effectiveness analysis. The aim of this review is to synthesise the existing knowledge on the early phase of hepatitis C virus infection, with a particular focus on the current risk factors, natural history, therapeutic management, and future perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1312 KiB  
Review
Update on Hepatitis C Vaccine: Results and Challenges
by Anna Rosa Garbuglia, Silvia Pauciullo, Verdiana Zulian and Paola Del Porto
Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081337 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
Therapy against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has significantly improved with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), achieving over 95% sustained virological response (SVR). Despite this, the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine remains a critical challenge due to the low number [...] Read more.
Therapy against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has significantly improved with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), achieving over 95% sustained virological response (SVR). Despite this, the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine remains a critical challenge due to the low number of patients treated with DAAs and the occurrence of HCV reinfections in high-risk groups. Current vaccine strategies aim to stimulate either B-cell or T-cell responses. Vaccines based on E1 and E2 proteins can elicit broad cross-neutralizing antibodies against all major HCV genotypes, though with varying efficiencies and without full protection against infection. In humans, the neutralizing antibodies induced by such vaccines mainly target the AR3 region, but their levels are generally insufficient for broad neutralization. Various HCV proteins expressed through different viral vectors have been utilized to elicit T cell immune responses, showing sustained expansion of HCV-specific effector memory T cells and improved proliferation and polyfunctionality of memory T cells over time. However, despite these advancements, the frequency and effectiveness of T-cell responses remain limited. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1023 KiB  
Review
Prevalence and Modes of Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Historical Worldwide Review
by Tommaso Stroffolini and Giacomo Stroffolini
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071115 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2434
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection affects over 58 million individuals and is responsible for 290,000 annual deaths. The infection spread in the past via blood transfusion and iatrogenic transmission due to the use of non-sterilized glass syringes mostly in developing countries (Cameroon, Central Africa [...] Read more.
Hepatitis C virus infection affects over 58 million individuals and is responsible for 290,000 annual deaths. The infection spread in the past via blood transfusion and iatrogenic transmission due to the use of non-sterilized glass syringes mostly in developing countries (Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Egypt) but even in Italy. High-income countries have achieved successful results in preventing certain modes of transmission, particularly in ensuring the safety of blood and blood products, and to a lesser extent, reducing iatrogenic exposure. Conversely, in low-income countries, unscreened blood transfusions and non-sterile injection practices continue to play major roles, highlighting the stark inequalities between these regions. Currently, injection drug use is a major worldwide risk factor, with a growing trend even in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Emerging high-risk groups include men who have sex with men (MSM), individuals exposed to tattoo practices, and newborns of HCV-infected pregnant women. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy as a tool to eliminate infection by interrupting viral transmission from infected to susceptible individuals. However, the feasibility of this ambitious and overly optimistic program generates concern about the need for universal screening, diagnosis, linkage to care, and access to affordable DAA regimens. These goals are very hard to reach, especially in LMICs, due to the cost and availability of drugs, as well as the logistical complexities involved. Globally, only a small proportion of individuals infected with HCV have been tested, and an even smaller fraction of those have initiated DAA therapy. The absence of an effective vaccine is a major barrier to controlling HCV infection. Without a vaccine, the WHO project may remain merely an illusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 671 KiB  
Review
Metformin and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Reduction in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: Fact or Fiction?
by Marco Sacco, Davide Giuseppe Ribaldone and Giorgio Maria Saracco
Viruses 2023, 15(12), 2451; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15122451 - 17 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1923
Abstract
Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) show a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Successful antiviral therapy has reduced the incidence of post-therapy HCC, but the presence of DM still represents an unfavourable predictive [...] Read more.
Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) show a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Successful antiviral therapy has reduced the incidence of post-therapy HCC, but the presence of DM still represents an unfavourable predictive factor even in cured patients. Metformin (MET) is recommended as a first-line therapy for DM, and its use is associated with a significant reduction in HCC among diabetic patients with chronic liver disease of different etiology, but very few studies specifically address this issue in patients with CHC. Aim: the aim of this review is to evaluate whether the use of MET induces a significant decrease in HCC in diabetic patients with CHC, treated or untreated with antiviral therapy. Methods: A search of PubMed, Medline, Web of Sciences and Embase was conducted for publications evaluating the role of MET in reducing the risk of HCC in patients with DM and CHC, with no language and study type restrictions up to 30 June 2023. Only studies fulfilling the following inclusion criteria were considered: (1) data on the incidence of HCC in the follow-up of diabetic patients with CHC only; (2) follow-up ≥24 months; (3) sufficient data to establish the rate of diabetic patients with CHC treated with metformin or other antidiabetic medications; and (4) data on the type of antiviral treatment and the clinical outcome. Results: Three studies met the inclusion criteria. A prospective cohort study considering only patients with DM and untreated advanced CHC, or non-responders to interferon (IFN) therapy, showed that the use of MET was associated with a significant decrease in HCC incidence, liver-related death and liver transplants. A recent retrospective study focusing on a large-scale nationwide cohort of patients with CHC in Taiwan successfully treated with IFN-based therapy stratified patients into 3 groups: non-MET users, MET users and non-diabetic patients, with 5-year cumulative rates of HCC of 10.9%, 2.6% and 3.0%, respectively, showing a significantly higher HCC risk in non-MET users compared with MET users and with non-diabetic patients, while it was not significantly different between MET users and non-diabetic patients. In a recent Italian cohort study focusing on 7007 patients with CHC treated and cured with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), a combined effect of DM and MET therapy was found, showing a higher incidence of HCC in diabetic patients not taking MET compared with those without DM and those with DM taking MET. Conclusion: according to the current evidence, the use of MET should be encouraged in diabetic patients with CHC in order to reduce the risk of HCC; however, a well-designed randomized controlled trial is needed to establish the generalizability of the beneficial effects of MET in this particular subset of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis C Virus: From Epidemiology to Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop