Results of the Campaign Dedicated to World Hepatitis Day

V. V. Klushkina; Z. S. Rodionova; T. V. Tyrgina; E. V. Tivanova; I. V. Solovieva; V. V. Orlov; L. V. Telminova; E. B. Lapteva; R. S. Amirov; V. S. Kichatova; F. A. Asadi Mobarhan; A. A. Karlsen; O. V. Isaeva; A. N. Gerasimov; S. N. Kuzin; K. K. Kyuregyan; M. I. Mikhailov; V. G. Akimkin

doi:10.31631/2073-3046-2025-24-3-63-74

Results of the Campaign Dedicated to World Hepatitis Day

https://doi.org/10.31631/2073-3046-2025-24-3-63-74

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Abstract

Introduction. The main measure to combat hepatitis C in the framework of its elimination plan is the “test and treat strategy”, as well as dissemination of knowledge on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among population. In order to raise awareness and increase the coverage with viral hepatitis testing, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology annually holds a social campaign dedicated to World Hepatitis Day, which is celebrated annually on July 28 (hereinafter referred to as the Campaign), when anyone can undergo a free testing of viral hepatitis markers. In 2023, as part of the Campaign, anyone interested could get tested for anti-HCV.
The aim of the study was to analyze the results of the campaign in the context of the frequency of detection of HCV infection markers, genetic diversity of HCV and participants' knowledge of hepatitis C.
Materials and methods. Total 1,763 people were tested during Campaign. Along with blood sampling, all participants were asked to take a survey in which they had to choose one of the answers to 8 questions about the transmission routes, risks of infection, and the possibility of curing hepatitis C. The screening test for anti-HCV was performed in the Architect analyzer. In order to assess the feasibility of reflex testing, HCV RNA and HCV viral load were tested in the serum samples unloaded from the analyzer after anti-HCV testing using kits manufactured by the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology. To determine the HCV genotype and assess the risk of cross-contamination during reflex testing, sequencing and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the HCV core/E1 sequences were performed.
Results. Anti-HCV were detected in 189 of 1763 (10.7 %; 95 % CI: 9.4–12.3 %) serum samples. HCV RNA was detected in 37 of 189 (19,6 %) anti-HCV reactive sera, all HCV RNA-reactive samples had signal to cut-off (S/CO) ratio for anti-HCV >3, except for one sample with S/CO = 2.76. The proportion of individuals with active HCV infection confirmed by HCV RNA detection was 2.1 % (37/1763; 95 % CI: 1.5–2.9 %) among the campaign participants. Among HCV genotypes, 1b (38 %) and 3a (44 %) prevailed; genotypes 1a, 2a, 2k and RF_2k/1b were also detected. With the exception of two genotype 1b sequences that clustered together, the identified HCV sequences were not similar, confirming the absence of cross-contamination during reflex HCV RNA testing. The maximum risk of a false-positive result for the detection of active HCV infection due to cross-contamination in reflex testing was calculated to be 0.2 % (3/1763; 95 % CI: 0.03–0.52 %). Medium or low levels of awareness of hepatitis C were demonstrated by 31.4 % of the campaign participants.
Conclusions. Analysis of the results of the campaign demonstrated its effectiveness as a measure to increase the coverage with hepatitis C diagnostics and a tool for assessing the people's knowledge of this infection. The data obtained confirm the low risks of obtaining a false-positive result when conducting reflex testing for hepatitis C, which indicates the possibility of using a single serum sample for accurate and effective completed diagnostics of hepatitis C.