HCV-Ab sero-prevalence in persons who inject drugs in a Province of Southern Italy: results of a screening program

Abstract

Introduction: Persons who inject drugs (PWID) represent a group with high prevalence of HCV, and an active reservoir at high risk of reinfection. In Italy there are incomplete data about the real prevalence of this condition, due to the lack of a systematic screening. The latest data from 2016 report an overall testing for HCV only in 20,5% of these subjects. The recent availability of a safe and efficacious cure for HCV infection increased the necessity of a better knowledge of this issue, to provide the correct linkage-to-care of these patients. This is necessary to reach the “micro-elimination” of HCV in a such high-risk population, in view of the “HCV elimination” set for 2030 by WHO.