Feasibility of HCV micro-elimination: HCV test and treatment in two harm reduction services in Milan

Background

Most of Harm Reduction Service (HRS) users represent a crucial high-risk population for blood borne infections, including HCV. With the advent of new direct antiviral agents (DAAs), HCV micro-elimination in this setting has become feasible. We evaluated HCV treatment cascade in two HRSs located in Milan.

Methods

We collected data on demographics, substance abuse history, HIV prevalence, HCV prevalence, testing and treatment on all register HRS users on 1 January 2019. Data collection was closed on 1 January 2020.

Results

A total of 881 HRS users (732M,149F) were included (median age: 45). The majority was addicted to heroin 67.5% (595), 24.1%(212) to cocaine, 5.3%(47) to THC and 3.1%(27) to other substances. The 28.0%(247/881) reported current or prior judiciary problems, 168/881(19.1%) were under psychiatric treatment. HCV serological screening (HCVAb) was performed for 587/881(66.7%), 113/881(12.8%) were in process, 2/881(0.2%) refused, 179/881(20.3%) were not HRS user anymore. 364/587(62%) resulted HCVAb positive, of whom 288(79.1%) were tested for HCV RNA. Among them 123/324(37.9%) were positive, 165/324(50.9%) were negative. Among HCVAb positive, 116/364(31.9%) were tested for HIV and 92(79.3%) resulted HIV positive. Among HCV RNA positive 92/123(74.8%) were initiated on DAAs treatment. Compliance to treatment was high; one treatment failure was registered. Individuals tested for HCV and HCVAb positive people had an average age significantly higher than the individuals not tested and HCVAb negative people (p < 0.001). Heroin user had a higher likelihood of being tested both for HCVAb and for HCV RNA and of being positive to the HCVAb test (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrate that it is feasible to achieve good efficacy and compliance for HCV treatment among people who use drugs when decentralising treatment to HRS. To achieve the viral hepatitis elimination agenda goals, HRS-based model of treatment provision needs to be implemented at larger scale.

Key messages

Decentralising HCV test and treatment to harm reduction services is an effective strategy to achieve HCV micro-elimination among people who use drugs. Young people and people who are addicted to other substance than heroin resulted more difficult to link to HCV care through the harm reduction services. They require tailored intervention.

Molecular analysis of HLA genes for the selection of unrelated bone marrow donor

The selection of fully matched unrelated volunteer donors (UVD) in BMT requires a molecular characterization of MHC polymorphism, since most phenotypically HLA-identical donors can be non-identical when analyzed at a genomic level. The present report describes a molecular typing protocol for HLA genes developed for the selection of UVD, and its application to some donor-recipient pairs. The protocol involves three successive steps. Firstly, PCR with sequence-specific primers for HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 genes is performed to identify the major alleles of the recipient. PCR-fingerprint matching is then introduced for HLA-A, B, C and DRB, DQB and DPB genes to screen prospective donors. Those showing matched fingerprinting patterns are finally submitted to direct sequencing of the DRB1 gene. DPB compatibility is assessed by oligotyping when there are several potential class I and DRB matched donors. This strategy was applied retrospectively to three BMT recipients and their previously selected donors. Three other patients and their 12 prospective donors were submitted to our protocol before BMT. Clinical evaluation of transplant outcomes indicates the primary importance of complete DRB and class I matching, while DQB and DPB compatibility seems to be less critical.