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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
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Epidemiology of viral hepatitis C: Road to elimination in Japan

Ko Ko1, Tomoyuki Akita1, Masahiro Satake2

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.

Global Health & Medicine
|November 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was historically linked to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Japan, accounting for 70% of cases.
  • HCV's contribution to HCC has significantly declined to 49% in 2013, with further decreases anticipated.
  • The epidemiology of HCV infection and its impact on HCC are shifting due to public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the changing epidemiology of HCV infection in Japan.
  • To assess the impact of public health policies and medical advancements on HCV prevalence and HCC incidence.
  • To evaluate Japan's progress towards the World Health Organization's (WHO) HCV elimination goals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of national blood donor database for incidence and prevalence rates.
  • Review of public health policies, including blood donor screening and hepatitis control acts.
  • Assessment of treatment trends, including direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates.

Main Results:

  • HCV prevalence has decreased significantly, with new incident cases at 0.4/100,000 person-years and a total carrier count between 890,902-1,302,179 in 2015.
  • HCV screening and effective treatments have disrupted transmission, leading to a lower prevalence in younger generations and an aging HCC demographic.
  • High SVR rates with DAAs and a reduced number of HCV carriers suggest progress towards elimination.

Conclusions:

  • Japan's comprehensive strategies have dramatically altered HCV epidemiology, shifting the predominant age for HCC to over 60.
  • Continued vigilance is necessary, including regulating high-risk groups and monitoring societal changes.
  • Japan is on track to potentially achieve the WHO's 2030 target for HCV elimination.

Keywords:
Japancountermeasuredisease burdenelimination

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