Screening for Hepatitis C Virus: How Universal Is Universal?

Abstract

In March and April of 2020, public health authorities issued major updates to screening recommendations for hepatitis C virus infection. With the rise in cases driven by injection drug use coupled with access to highly effective therapies promising a cure, all adults aged 18 years should receive one-time hepatitis C virus antibody screening in any health care setting. Although the recommendation is dubbed "universal," this commentary reviews the details of the recommendations and discusses the high-risk populations not entirely captured with these changes.

Global hepatitis C elimination: history, evolution, revolutionary changes and barriers to overcome

“…However, as time passed and competition raised, in 2020 the current cost is approximately $ 26 000. Now, with the opportunity of HCV treatment procedures and a declining cost, the "micro-elimination" approach started to be the focus of the global health strategy on HCV [63].…”

“…CDC recommends no upper age limit and includes individuals who are aged above 79 years. Pregnant women were also included in their recommendations [63]. Global screening of all adults is a major step forward compared with the micro-elimination approach, but it may be implemented in countries that have achieved the micro-elimination goal already.…”

“…It was a major change that transformed the HCV options in treatment. Telaprevir and Boceprevir (NS3/4A protease inhibitors) were the initial DAAs solutions for HCV [ 63 ]. These protease inhibitors were added to the IFN and Ribavirin administrations.…”

“…Now, with the opportunity of HCV treatment procedures and a declining cost, the “micro-elimination” approach started to be the focus of the global health strategy on HCV [ 63 ].…”

“…CDC recommends no upper age limit and includes individuals who are aged above 79 years. Pregnant women were also included in their recommendations [ 63 ].…”