Hepatitis C Virus Dynamic Transmission Models Among People Who Inject Drugs

Transmission dynamic model is a concrete structure to describe and investigate the complex system of host-pathogen interactions. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted from infectious to susceptible individuals when they come into contact with HCV-contaminated equipment. Injecting drug use is the most known transmission route, and about 80% of new HCV cases have been confirmed as having acquired HCV infection via drug injection.

The main objective of this review paper was to review the importance of HCV dynamic transmission model, that enables the readers to understand the mechanism how HCV is transmissible from infectious to susceptible hosts and the effective controlling strategies.

PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases have been used to search data by using key terms like "HCV transmission model among people who inject drug (PWID)", HCV potential herd immunity", and "basic reproductive number for HCV transmission in PWID." Data from research findings other than English version have been excluded from being used, and the most recently published data have been considered to be included.

HCV belongs to the Hepacivirus genus within the Flaviviridae family. HCV infection is acquired when the susceptible individuals in populations come into contact with medical equipment such as shared syringes and needles, or swabs contaminated with infected blood. Construction of HCV transmission dynamic model is very significant in order to predict the duration and magnitude of its epidemic and to evaluate the potential impact of intervention. Comprehensive harm reduction and care/support service strategies are the best approach for intervention regarding HCV infection transmission among PWID.