Micro-elimination of HCV as a possible therapeutic strategy: our experience and a review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Serbia has an intermediate estimated prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection, approximately 1.13%, with hepatitis C remaining one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality in Serbia with impaired quality of life and overwhelming cost of treating its complications As the availability of new treatment options and resources for screening remains limited, micro-elimination of CHC becomes a top priority. METHODS: Review of the available published data related to the clinical and epidemiological situation of the hepatitis C infection in Serbia, including the unpublished data from the databases of four major reference centres in Serbia (Clinical Center Serbia, Clinical Center Nis, Clinical Center Vojvodina and Clinical Center Kragujevac). RESULTS: Currently in Serbia, micro-elimination appears to be realistic in the patients with haemophilia, who represent a small, well-defined subpopulation, under constant monitoring by the healthcare system. Other feasible targets for micro-elimination of CHC infection in Serbia are patients on hemodialysis, prisoners and people who inject drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Micro-elimination is feasible in Serbia, especially in the subpopulation of patients with haemophilia. This may represent an initial step towards achieving the WHO objective to eliminate hepatitis C infection by 2030.