Simão Margarida, Gonçalves Cristina
Pediatric Gastrenterology and Hepatology Unit, Pediatric Hospital Dona Estefânia, ULS S. José, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal.
Pathogens. 2024 Sep 28;13(10):841. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13100841.
The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant public health challenge in European countries. Historically, healthcare-related procedures were the primary source of HCV infection in Europe. However, with the implementation of blood safety programs, injection drug use has become the main transmission route. The infection's distribution and genotype prevalence vary widely across the continent. Even with the availability of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, HCV infection is far from being controlled. A significant proportion of patients remain undiagnosed, contributing to the ongoing transmission of the virus. Additionally, several barriers hinder the widespread use of DAAs, including high treatment costs, stigma, poor linkage to care, and considerable geographical variations in prevalence and transmission routes. The World Health Organization has set ambitious targets to reduce liver-related deaths, decrease new viral hepatitis infections, and ensure that 90% of infected individuals are diagnosed by 2030. However, most European countries face challenges, highlighting the need for screening programs, funding mechanisms, and public health strategies to effectively control HCV infection in Europe.
丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）在欧洲国家是一项重大的公共卫生挑战。历史上，医疗相关程序是欧洲HCV感染的主要来源。然而，随着血液安全计划的实施，注射吸毒已成为主要传播途径。该感染在欧洲大陆的分布和基因型流行情况差异很大。即使有高效的直接抗病毒药物（DAA）疗法，HCV感染仍远未得到控制。很大一部分患者仍未被诊断出来，这导致了病毒的持续传播。此外，几个障碍阻碍了DAA的广泛使用，包括高昂的治疗成本、耻辱感、与医疗服务的联系不佳以及患病率和传播途径在地理上的巨大差异。世界卫生组织设定了雄心勃勃的目标，以减少与肝脏相关的死亡、减少新的病毒性肝炎感染，并确保到2030年90%的感染者得到诊断。然而，大多数欧洲国家面临挑战，这凸显了在欧洲有效控制HCV感染所需的筛查计划、资金机制和公共卫生战略。
