Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Is it time to get more attention!?

Abstract

Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is broadly described as the presence of HCV-RNA in hepatocytes and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in individuals who are HCV-RNA negative in serum by traditional diagnostic techniques. Based on the presence or absence of anti-HCV in serum, two forms of OCI are distinguished as seronegative (anti-HCV and serum HCV-RNA negative) and seropositive (anti-HCV positive and serum HCV-RNA negative). This review aims to estimate the global prevalence rate of OCI among a certain population in terms of disease epidemiology, method of transmission, infection pattern, progression, and treatment. Occult HCV infection is likely linked to liver fibrosis and disease progression. More research is needed to understand the infectivity of OCI patients and the natural course and particular clinical consequences of OCI. It will be interesting to know if direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications efficiently eliminate HCV RNA in PBMCs or hepatocytes. Finally, some effective OCI screening strategies are advised to target people at risk of HCV infection.