Hep C infection may be on the rise among men using PrEP

Jan 2, 2019
Infectious Diseases

HIV/AIDS

Reports of Sexually Acquired Hepatitis C Infection Among MSM on PrEP

Keith Henry, MD reviewing Price JC et al. J Infect Dis 2018 Nov 20

Two sites located in NYC and San Francisco report a series of 15 cases of new HCV infection among 14 MSM on PrEP that were likely sexually acquired...

Hep C infection may be on the rise among men using PrEP

By Will Boggs MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The incidence of sexually acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections appears to be rising among men who have sex with men (MSM) and use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, U.S. researchers report.

Dr. Fierer and colleagues now report 15 likely sexually acquired HCV infections among 14 MSM using PrEP between 2013 and 2018 (including one man who was re-infected after clearance of his primary HCV infection).

Dr. Fierer added, "Since there was not universal routine HCV surveillance among all men on PrEP in New York City and San Francisco, we were unable to calculate an incidence rate of HCV in this population. Therefore, more research is needed with prospective cohorts (which we are now doing). However, this information that we already have is needed not just for public health departments to be aware and track new infections but also to determine whether messages about transmission prevention and timely treatment of newly diagnosed infections are effective at reducing the spread of the virus."
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SOURCE: https://bit.ly/2QyNmeA
Sexually Acquired Hepatitis C Infection in HIV-Uninfected Men Who Have Sex With Men Using Preexposure Prophylaxis Against HIV
J Infect Dis 2018.

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