Background:
Canada is on track to meet the WHO’s 2030 hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination goal. However, achieving this will require sustained high rates of treatment, especially among people who use drugs (PWUD), who account for most new HCV cases in British Columbia and represent the highest proportion of HCV/HIV coinfection in Canada. Strategic elimination of HCV in this population will have both individual and community benefits as their transmissibility, liver disease and liver cancer risk will decrease.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted of individuals living with HIV through the Cool Aid Community Health Centre (CACHC) entered in their electronic medical records from Jan 2019 to January 2025. History of HIV/HCV co-infection and results of strategic HCV treatment including sustained virologic response (SVR) was assessed.
Results:
Of a total of 243 patients living with HIV, 93 (38%) had been co-infected with HCV with a positive HCV antibody test. Of the 93, only 3 (3%) are currently co-infected with HCV: 1 (1%) is untreated and 2 (2%) are currently on treatment. 16 (17%) were reinfected and all have undergone retreatment. Of those 90 (97%) currently with undetectable RNA, 71 (79%) have been treated with SVR, 17 (19%) spontaneously cleared, and 3 (3%) are unknown if cleared or SVR.
Conclusion:
This retrospective chart review data indicates significant progress towards elimination of HCV within patients living with HIV, with a vast majority (97%) no longer burdened with HCV. The overall progress towards elimination was impacted by the 17% reinfection rate observed but retreatment is now easily obtained through provincial reimbursement. |