Genomic surveillance uncovers regional variation in HCV transmission networks in rural United States.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a public health concern in the United States, particularly in rural communities where the opioid epidemic accelerates transmission among people who use drugs (PWUD). Despite this growing burden, the genetic features and transmission dynamics of HCV in these settings are poorly understood. We analyze 692 HCV antibody-positive specimens collected from rural communities in ten U.S. states using amplicon-based deep sequencing and the Global Hepatitis Outbreak and Surveillance Technology (GHOST) platform to reconstruct transmission networks. Among sequenced individuals, 29.5% are linked within clusters. Cluster structure varies by region from sparse networks in Ohio to dense clusters in New England and phylogenetic analyses show that some networks persist for ove

SUBMITTER: Tully DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12783787 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature