Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Clusters in Public Health and Correctional Settings, Wisconsin, USA, 2016–20171

Abstract

Ending the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic requires stopping transmission among networks of persons who inject drugs. Identifying transmission networks by using genomic epidemiology may inform community responses that can quickly interrupt transmission. We retrospectively identified HCV RNA–positive specimens corresponding to 459 persons in settings that use the state laboratory, including correctional facilities and syringe services programs, in Wisconsin, USA, during 2016–2017. We conducted next-generation sequencing of HCV and analyzed it for phylogenetic linkage by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Hepatitis Outbreak Surveillance Technology platform. Analysis showed that 126 persons were linked across 42 clusters. Phylogenetic clustering was higher in rural communities and associated with female sex and younger age among rural residents. These data highlight that HCV transmission could be reduced by expanding molecular-based surveillance strategies to rural communities affected by the opioid crisis.

Hepatitis C Virus Elimination Program among Prison Inmates, Israel

“…Fourth, some of the data, such as smoking history, could be subject to reporting bias. Last, this study did not classify HCV clusters ( 12 ) because of lack of available data.…”

Hepatitis C virus subtype diversity and transmission clusters characteristics among drug users in Zhuhai, South China

“…In recent years, molecular transmission network analysis based on genetic variations and evolutions has proven to be a powerful scientific tool for investigating the infectious disease transmission network and identifying associated genotypes for tailored treatment, particularly in the context of HIV transmission [ 22 , 23 ]. This approach recently has also been successfully applied to delineate HCV transmission networks, demonstrating its efficacy and convenience in accurately identifying underlying links and reflecting actual relationships among infected partners across diverse global populations [ 3 , 14 , 24 – 26 ].…”

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

“…Viral sequence data can be used to infer the nature of transmission networks and the momentum with which the active clusters sustain the HCV epidemic. Risk factors associated with ongoing transmission as well as the potential spill-over between key populations can be defined when the viral sequence data is annotated with these metadata [13][14][15][16][17][18]. However, obtaining HCV sequencing data is challenging due to the high genetic variability of HCV with more than 90 recognized subtypes distributed across eight genotypes [19].…”