Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Feb;27(2):480-489. doi: 10.3201/eid2702.202957.
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.
终结丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）流行需要阻止在注射毒品者网络中传播。通过基因组流行病学识别传播网络，可以为能够迅速阻断传播的社区应对措施提供信息。我们在美国威斯康星州的州立实验室（包括监狱和注射器服务项目）中，对 2016-2017 年期间的 459 名 HCV RNA 阳性标本进行了回顾性研究。我们对 HCV 进行了下一代测序，并利用疾病预防控制中心全球肝炎暴发监测技术平台对其进行了基于系统发育的连锁分析。分析表明，有 126 人在 42 个簇中存在关联。农村社区的系统发育聚类更高，与农村居民中的女性和年轻有关。这些数据突出表明，通过将基于分子的监测策略扩展到受阿片类药物危机影响的农村社区，可以减少 HCV 的传播。
