Emergency department contribution to HCV elimination in the Iberian Peninsula

Emergency department contribution to HCV elimination in the Iberian Peninsula

HCV, Emergency department, Screening, Diagnosis

Background Undiagnosed cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection result in significant morbidity and mortality,
further transmission, and increased public health costs. Testing in emergency departments (EDs) is an opportunity
to expand HCV screening. The goal of this project was to increase the proportion of eligible patients screened for HCV
in urban areas.
Methods An opportunistic automated HCV screening program was implemented in the EDs of 4 public hospitals
in Spain and Portugal at different periods between 2018 and 2023. HCV prevalence was prospectively evaluated,
and single-step or reflex testing was used for confirmation in the same sample.
Results More than 90% of the population eligible for testing were screened in the participating centers. We found
HCV antibody seroprevalence rates ranging from 0.6 to 3.9%, with between 19 and 53% of viremic individuals.
Conclusions Opportunistic HCV screening in EDs is feasible, does not disrupt ED activities, is highly effective
in increasing diagnosis, and contributes to WHO’s HCV elimination goals.
Keywords HCV, Emergency department, Screening, Diagnosis

Maria Buti1*, Inês Vaz‐Pinto2

, Vítor Magno Pereira3

, Marta Casado4

, Jordi Llaneras5

, Ana Barreira1
,

Catarina Esteves2

, Mafalda Guimarães2

, Ana Gorgulho2

, Tomás Mourão2

, Elisa Xavier3

, Luís Jasmins3
,

Ana Paula Reis3

, Nancy Faria3

, Bruno Freitas3

, Graça Andrade3

, Anny Camelo‐Castillo4
,

Manuel Ángel Rodríguez‐Maresca4

, Alba Carrodeguas6

, Diogo Medina6 and Rafael Esteban1

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00570-5

2023

Peri Irawan

pdf

english

text