Sexually acquired hepatitis C virus infection: a review

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 49; no. C; pp. 47 - 58
• Main Authors: Chan, Denise P.C, Sun, Hsin-Yun, Wong, Horas T.H, Lee, Shui-Shan, Hung, Chien-Ching
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2016; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Combination antiretroviral therapy; Direct-acting antivirals; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepacivirus - isolation & purification; Hepacivirus - physiology; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - psychology; Hepatitis C - transmission; Hepatitis C - virology; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infectious Disease; Male; Men who have sex with men; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Risk Factors; Sex health; Sex network; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - psychology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - transmission; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - virology; Sexually transmitted infection; Viral hepatitis; Viral hepatitis; Combination antiretroviral therapy; Men who have sex with men; Sexually transmitted infection; Sex network; Sex health; Direct-acting antivirals
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.05.030

Highlights • The transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasing within the specific core group of men who have sex with men (MSM) because of increased sexual risk behaviours, including serosorting on the basis of HIV-positive status, chemsex, and intense mucosally traumatic sexual practices. • The advent of direct-acting antivirals has improved treatment responses of HCV infection significantly; however, sexually transmitted HCV reinfections occur in a substantial proportion of HIV-positive MSM following clearance of a primary infection. • Effective screening and preventive strategies tailored to the MSM communities are needed to facilitate the control of sexually acquired HCV infection.