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Viruses
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Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV
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Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 7460

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Federico García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, 18007 Granada, Spain
Interests: molecular diagnostics; viral hepatitis; HIV
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global elimination of viral hepatitis remains a critical public health goal, with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) representing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Despite advancements in diagnostics, antiviral therapies, and vaccination programs, substantial gaps remain in achieving the World Health Organization's elimination targets by 2030.

This Special Issue invites cutting-edge research, reviews, and perspectives focusing on innovative strategies, barriers, and opportunities in the fight against HBV, HDV, and HCV. Topics of interest include but are not limited to novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, vaccination strategies, epidemiological insights, and public health policies aimed at prevention and elimination.

By bringing together a diverse collection of studies, we aim to foster collaboration across disciplines and provide actionable insights that can accelerate the elimination of these debilitating infections. We welcome contributions from clinicians, researchers, and public health experts to shed light on the current state of hepatitis elimination and the road ahead.

Dr. Federico Garcia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hepatitis elimination
  • HBV
  • HCV
  • HDV

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 328 KB  
Article
Innovative Nurse-Led Community Health Centre–Corrections Partnership for Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment in Victoria, British Columbia
by Marion Selfridge, Tamara Barnett, Lesley Munro, Kiffer Card, Sarah Nishimura, Adam Beaumont, Catherine Clarke, Kellie Guarasci, Karen Lundgren, Katie Besko, Anne Drost and Chris Fraser
Viruses 2025, 17(12), 1590; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17121590 - 6 Dec 2025
Viewed by 195
Abstract
People who are incarcerated experience a high rate of hepatitis C (HCV) worldwide, and HCV micro-elimination in prisons is an effective strategy to support treatment. In Victoria, British Columbia, administrative barriers limited HCV testing and treatment at Vancouver Island Correctional Centre (VIRCC), and [...] Read more.
People who are incarcerated experience a high rate of hepatitis C (HCV) worldwide, and HCV micro-elimination in prisons is an effective strategy to support treatment. In Victoria, British Columbia, administrative barriers limited HCV testing and treatment at Vancouver Island Correctional Centre (VIRCC), and people who were HCV RNA+ were lost to follow up. Cool Aid Community Health Centre (CACHC) is an inner-city, primary care clinic that serves a marginalized population. The CACHC HCV nurse coordinator with the VIRCC nurse held HCV testing ‘blitzes’ at VIRCC and offered phlebotomy for screening and pre-treatment bloodwork. Clients who tested HCV RNA+ were started on HCV treatment and if discharged before completion, CACHC followed them in the community. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify all clients who accessed HCV testing and treatment through the VIRCC partnership. To date, 230 clients were tested: 49 tested HCV antibody+, 11 tested HCV RNA+, and 10 started on treatment (6 SVR). Case management and consultation with the nurse coordinator and VIRCC nurse supported treatment starts for an additional 18 clients (14 SVR). This pragmatic and innovative approach to HCV care with people who are incarcerated demonstrated effective HCV testing and treatment. CACHC and VIRCC have established closer relationships and reduced barriers to reach and maintain continuity with this target population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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21 pages, 1858 KB  
Article
Regional, Age, and Sex Patterns of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Russia: Insights from a 42,000-Participant Serosurvey
by Victor A. Manuylov, Vladimir A. Gushchin, Vladimir P. Chulanov, Olga V. Isaeva, Denis A. Kleymenov, Andrei A. Pochtovyi, Elena P. Mazunina, Evgeniia N. Bykonia, Irina N. Tragira, Yana V. Simakova, Sergey V. Netesov, Artem P. Tkachuk, Tatyana A. Semenenko, Alexander L. Gintsburg, Karen K. Kyuregyan and Mikhail I. Mikhailov
Viruses 2025, 17(12), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17121529 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 765
Abstract
Identifying population groups at greatest risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential for targeting screening and treatment. We analyzed the seroprevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and HCV RNA in serum samples from 37,291 conditionally healthy volunteers collected between 2018 and [...] Read more.
Identifying population groups at greatest risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential for targeting screening and treatment. We analyzed the seroprevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and HCV RNA in serum samples from 37,291 conditionally healthy volunteers collected between 2018 and 2022, and from 4764 individuals sampled in 2008, totaling 42,055 participants. In 2018–2022, anti-HCV prevalence varied by region, ranging from 1.1 to 1.4% in Belgorod, Moscow, and St. Petersburg to 1.8–2.1% in Dagestan, Tatarstan, Novosibirsk, Tyva, and southern Yakutia, and reaching 3.4–5.2% in Khabarovsk and the Arctic zone of Yakutia. In 2008, prevalence in Moscow, Rostov, Sverdlovsk, Tyva, and Yakutia ranged from 1.7% to 3.3%. A significant decline over time was observed: from a mean of 2.6 ± 0.5% in 2008 to 1.9 ± 0.1% in 2018–2022 (p < 0.01). In recent years, men were more frequently anti-HCV-positive than women (2.5 ± 0.2% vs. 1.5 ± 0.2%, p < 0.01), whereas no sex differences were noted in 2008. The age of a sharp prevalence increase shifted from the 20–29 cohort in 2008 to the 30–39 cohort in 2018–2022. Based on the demographic structure, we estimate ~3.23 million anti-HCV carriers in Russia. HCV RNA was detectable in only one-third of seropositive individuals, identifying them as candidates for antiviral therapy. Thus, in contemporary Russia, men aged over 30 years have the highest risk of HCV infection and should be prioritized for targeted screening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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12 pages, 564 KB  
Article
Real-World Treatment Efficacy and Safety Profile of Sofosbuvir- and Velpatasvir-Based HCV Treatment in South Korea: Multicenter Prospective Study
by Jae Hyun Yoon, Chang Hun Lee, Hoon Gil Jo, Ju-Yeon Cho, Jin Dong Kim, Jin Won Kim, Ga Ram You, Sung Bum Cho and Sung Kyu Choi
Viruses 2025, 17(7), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17070949 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1287
Abstract
Background: The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has marked a significant milestone in the therapeutic landscape of hepatitis C, greatly improving treatment efficacy. A therapeutic regimen encompassing sofosbuvir (SOF), velpatasvir (VEL), and voxilaprevir (VOX) has demonstrated strong efficacy across all genotypes of the [...] Read more.
Background: The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has marked a significant milestone in the therapeutic landscape of hepatitis C, greatly improving treatment efficacy. A therapeutic regimen encompassing sofosbuvir (SOF), velpatasvir (VEL), and voxilaprevir (VOX) has demonstrated strong efficacy across all genotypes of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has recently been incorporated into the Korean healthcare system. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of these antivirals in the South Korean population. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study enrolled patients with chronic HCV treated with SOF/VEL-based regimens at six hospitals between November 2022 and January 2024. DAA-naïve patients received SOF/VEL ± ribavirin for 12 weeks. Patients who had failed prior DAA therapy received SOF/VEL/VOX for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was a sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Results: Among 101 patients treated with SOF/VEL, the mean age was 64.71 years, and 40.9% were male. Genotypes 1b and 2 were identified in 40.6% and 59.4% of patients, respectively. Two patients had a history of interferon-based treatment. The mean baseline HCV RNA level was 3,088,097 IU/mL. Cirrhosis was observed in 26.7% of patients (21.8% compensated; 5.0% decompensated). Of the 101 patients, 12 were lost to follow-up. Among the 89 patients who completed follow-up, SVR12 was achieved in 100.0% (89/89), including 5 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. In the SOF/VEL/VOX group, 17 patients were treated. The mean age was 61.84 years, 29.4% were male, and four had compensated cirrhosis. One patient was lost to follow-up. SVR12 was achieved in 100.0% (16/16) of the patients who completed follow-up. No serious adverse events (≥grade 3) were reported in either group during the DAA treatment period. Conclusions: In this first prospective real-world study in South Korea, SOF/VEL-based regimens demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety, achieving 100% SVR12 in the per-protocol population, including patients with cirrhosis and prior treatment failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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12 pages, 738 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis in Spain: Bases for Implementation
by Joaquin Cabezas, Antonio Aguilera, Federico García, Raquel Domínguez-Hernández, Araceli Casado-Gómez, Nataly Espinoza-Cámac, Miguel Ángel Casado and Javier Crespo
Viruses 2025, 17(5), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050667 - 3 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1104
Abstract
In 2022, scientific societies agreed on a document with recommendations for a comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis (B, C, and D). The aim was to evaluate the situation in Spain regarding the comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis in a single blood draw before [...] Read more.
In 2022, scientific societies agreed on a document with recommendations for a comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis (B, C, and D). The aim was to evaluate the situation in Spain regarding the comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis in a single blood draw before it is recommended. A panel of experts prepared a structured survey directed at hospitals (public or private with teaching accreditation) with ≥200 beds (sent 20 October 2022, closed 1 December 2022). The response rate was 61% (79/129; 52 hospitals with >500 beds). Among the participating hospitals, all could perform tests for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV serology; 94% could perform PCR testing for HCV, 63% could test for anti-HDV, and 28% could test for HDV-RNA (67% [53/79] outsourced this testing). Point-of-care (POC) testing availability was low (24%), with 84% of these tests being supervised by the reference microbiological laboratory and the results being registered in the patients’ medical history. Ninety percent of the centers carried out the diagnosis in a single step (99% HCV, 70% HBV, 48% HDV, and 44% HBV-HDV). In addition, 77% used some communication strategy when an active infection was encountered (100% HCV, 49% HBV, and 31% HDV). Only 20% had an automated system for scheduling a specialist physician appointment. Most hospitals had the means for a comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis in a single sample, but <50% could test for HBV/HDV. Alerts for continuity of care were available for HCV, but not HBV or HDV. POC device implementation is important for decentralized testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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Review

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31 pages, 1537 KB  
Review
Hepatitis C Virus: Epidemiological Challenges and Global Strategies for Elimination
by Daniela Toma, Lucreția Anghel, Diana Patraș and Anamaria Ciubară
Viruses 2025, 17(8), 1069; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17081069 - 31 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3031
Abstract
The global elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a key public health target, with a deadline set for 2030. This initiative aims to significantly reduce both new infection rates and HCV-associated mortality. A [...] Read more.
The global elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a key public health target, with a deadline set for 2030. This initiative aims to significantly reduce both new infection rates and HCV-associated mortality. A major breakthrough in achieving this goal has been the development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), which offer cure rates exceeding 95%, along with excellent safety and tolerability. Nevertheless, transmission via parenteral routes continues to be the dominant pathway, particularly among high-risk groups, such as individuals who inject drugs, incarcerated populations, those exposed to unsafe medical practices, and healthcare professionals. Identifying, monitoring, and delivering tailored interventions to these groups is crucial to interrupt ongoing transmission and to reduce the burden of chronic liver disease. On a global scale, several nations have demonstrated measurable progress toward HCV elimination, with some nearing the targets set by WHO. These achievements have largely resulted from context-adapted policies that enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic access while emphasizing outreach to vulnerable communities. This review synthesizes current advancements in HCV prevention and control and proposes strategic frameworks to expedite global elimination efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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Other

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8 pages, 200 KB  
Brief Report
HCV Screening in a Sicilian Centre: A Descriptive Cohort Profile
by Maria G. Minissale, Salvatore Petta and Fabio Cartabellotta
Viruses 2025, 17(9), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17091252 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in Italy varies according to geographical areas and clusters of infection. Moreover, epidemiological studies are old, and the actual prevalence of HCV active infections is also affected by the use of direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) that [...] Read more.
Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in Italy varies according to geographical areas and clusters of infection. Moreover, epidemiological studies are old, and the actual prevalence of HCV active infections is also affected by the use of direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs) that achieve sustained virologic response (SVR) in >95% of treated patients. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infections in in- or outpatients referred to a Sicilian hospital. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the Buccheri La Ferla Hospital, in Palermo (Sicily), from 1 November 2019 to March 2022. We consecutively screened for HCV infections all inpatients who were evaluated on admission to the ward and all outpatients who referred to the central laboratory. All patients were screened using serological detection of HCV antibodies. Results: In the entire cohort, 469 out of 15,550 patients (3%) showed anti-HCV positivity, and this rate progressively increased according to classes of age (0.4% for <40 yrs, 3% for 40–60 yrs, 4% for >60–80 yrs, and 6.4% for >80 yrs). Among patients with anti-HCV positivity, 44.3% were HCV-RNA negative, 39.2% had HCV-RNA not available, and 16.4% were HCV-RNA positive. In total, 44.1% of patients with HCV-RNA positivity underwent DAA-based antiviral therapy. Conclusions: HCV screening programs can be useful in identifying infected patients at risk of liver disease progression and/or infection spreading. The implementation of laboratory strategies based on HCV reflex testing, the activation of dedicated linkage-to-care plans, and a focus on higher-risk groups could increase the effectiveness of screening programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Hepatitis Elimination: HBV, HDV, and HCV)
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