A Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission, Relapse, and Reinfection Among People Who Inject Drugs Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) is essential for HCV elimination. We aimed to differentiate reinfections from treatment failures and to identify transmission linkages and associated factors in a cohort of PWID receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT).

Methods

We analyzed baseline and follow-up specimens from 150 PWID from 3 OAT clinics in the Bronx, New York. Next-generation sequencing data from the hypervariable region 1 of HCV were analyzed using Global Hepatitis Outbreak and Surveillance Technology.

Results

There were 3 transmission linkages between study participants. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was not achieved in 9 participants: 7 had follow-up specimens with similar sequences to baseline, a

SUBMITTER: Akiyama MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7336560 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature