Understanding and Addressing Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

• Published in: Infectious disease clinics of North America Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 395
• Main Authors: Martin, Thomas C S, Rauch, Andri, Salazar-Vizcaya, Luisa, Martin, Natasha K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior Therapy; Coinfection - epidemiology; Coinfection - virology; Hepacivirus - drug effects; Hepacivirus - isolation & purification; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - prevention & control; Hepatitis C - virology; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Secondary Prevention - methods; Sexual Behavior; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications; Switzerland - epidemiology; Switzerland; Prevention; Hepatitis C virus; Reinfection; Men who have sex with men
• ISSN: 1557-9824
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.004

Hepatitis C virus reinfection rates among men who have sex with men are high. Factors associated with infection point to varied sexual and drug-related risks that could be targeted for interventions to prevent infection/reinfection. Modeling indicates that tackling increasing incidence and high reinfection rates requires high levels of hepatitis C virus treatment combined with behavioral interventions. Enhanced testing strategies and prompt retreating of reinfection may be required to promptly diagnosed reinfections. Behavioral interventions studies addressing reinfection are required. Other interventions include traditional harm reduction interventions, adapted behavioral interventions, and interventions to prevent harms related to ChemSex and other risk factors.