Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults

Abstract

Quiz Ref ID Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne pathogen in the US and a leading cause of complications from chronic liver disease.¹ Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with more deaths than the top 60 other reportable infectious diseases combined, including HIV.² The most important risk factor for HCV infection is past or current injection drug use.¹ In the US, an estimated 4.1 million persons have past or current HCV infection (ie, they test positive for the anti-HCV antibody). Of these persons who test positive for the anti-HCV antibody, approximately 2.4 million have current infections based on testing with molecular assays for HCV RNA.^1,3-5 The estimated prevalence of chronic HCV infection is approximately 1.0% (2013 to 2016).⁶ An estimated 44 700 new HCV infections occurred in the US in 2017.⁷ Cases of acute HCV infection have increased approximately 3.8-fold (2010 to 2017) over the last decade because of increasing injection drug use and improved surveillance.⁷ The most rapid increase in acute HCV incidence has been in young adults aged 20 to 39 years who inject drugs, with increases in both sexes but more pronounced in men.⁷ Rates increased especially in American Indian/Alaskan Native and non-Hispanic white populations.⁷