The beginning of a new era in understanding hepatitis C virus prevention

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a staggering problem in the United States and worldwide. In the United States, HCV is responsible for 12,000 deaths each year, and is the most common blood borne pathogen and a leading cause of liver transplantation. While over 4 million people in the Unites States and 180 million worldwide (3%) are chronically infected, most are not aware of their diagnosis. The disease burden and mortality from HCV infection are predicted to increase in the United States 2- to 3-fold over the next 10 to 20 years as the number of persons with long duration of infection grows. This will greatly impact individual and public health and will lead to a substantial economic burden as well. Most HCV-related mortality is occurring in men under 60 years of age (and disproportionately among non-Hispanic Black men [1]), making HCV a leading infectious cause of years of potential life lost, as well as an important cause of premature mortality. Death due to HCV infection is the most frequent cause of non-AIDS-related death for HIV-infected persons with access to highly active antiretroviral therapy [2].