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BACKGROUND: A key barrier to an effective care cascade for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is limited awareness, especially among patients undergoing elective surgery. To address this issue, we introduced an electronic medical record (EMR)-based automatic alert system in 2021 to enhance surgical healthcare providers' awareness of HCV screening and referral rates. METHODS: The alert system was designed to alert surgeons to order preoperative HCV antibody testing for patients undergoing elective surgery before admission and, at discharge, recommend hepatology consultation for patients with positive HCV antibody testing. RESULTS: The system significantly improved the HCV screening rate by 73,834 (96.8 %) among 76,310 patients undergoing surgery after system implementation, compared to 106,854 (82.8 %) among 129,065 patients between 2016 and 2020 (P < 0.001). Among them, the system alerted 12,048 (16.3 %) cases, and 463 patients tested positive for HCV antibodies. However, only 42 (15.3 %) were referred out of 275 (59.4 %) who required hepatology consultation. Linkage failure was associated with other surgery departments than hepatobiliary and transplant surgery departments (odds ratio [OR]=5.940, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 3.080-12.410, P < 0.001) and shorter hospitalization duration (OR=0.980, 95 % CI, 0.950-0.990, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The EMR-based automatic alert system effectively increased HCV screening for patients undergoing elective surgery before admission. However, it could not link them to care cascade in surgery departments. Combining more proactive approaches would be beneficial, such as reflex testing or a call-back strategy.

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  BACKGROUND: This study was conducted as part of the Swiss National Programme to Stop HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections (NAPS), which aims to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections in Switzerland. The goal was to identify the most effective and cost-efficient screening strategies to lower the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis by improving access to screening. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to assess the impact of various screening strategies among key populations over two years, including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and people who inject drugs (PWID). The model further stratifies individuals based on partner number (MSM) and injection-equipment sharing (PWID). Comprehensive cost estimates for screening and treatment were derived from insurance data, literature and expert opinions. The effectiveness of screening interventions was evaluated by measuring reductions in disease incidence and cost savings, comparing the costs of screening to those of acute and chronic care for prevented infections. RESULTS: Increased screening frequency among key populations led to a reduction in incidence for all five infections studied. The largest effect was seen in people who inject drugs who share injecting equipment, where HCV incidence fell by up to 76% with four annual screens. However, only screening for HIV, HCV and syphilis proved to be cost-saving. Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae consistently incurred net costs due to the high screening costs and relatively low treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Targeted expansion of screening among key populations can reduce the incidence of HIV, HCV and syphilis in Switzerland, with regular screening offering potential cost savings to insurers under specific coverage and treatment scenarios.

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The primary care clinician can play a substantial role in the management and prevention of viral hepatitis infections, which cause a substantial burden of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis worldwide and in the US. One-time hepatitis B and C virus testing is now recommended as part of universal adult screening measures, and more frequently based on risk factors. Immunization strategies for hepatitis A and B have also been updated, with a new adjuvanted, conjugated hepatitis B vaccine (HepB-CpG) that provides greater efficacy than older vaccines. Management of hepatitis B and C has been streamlined based on current tolerable, effective oral regimens that can reduce the individual's risks of liver fibrosis and cancer and interrupt the cycles of community transmission. The epidemiology and natural history of these viral infections are summarized and concise updates of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies are provided.

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People who inject drugs (PWID) are among the populations most heavily infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Taiwan has implemented targeted strategies to pursue HCV micro-elimination in this high-burden group. Universal screening combined with on-site direct-acting antiviral therapy has been carried out in Yunlin and Penghu prisons, achieving a sustained virologic response rate of 100 % in per-protocol analysis. Critical factors underlying this success included strong collaboration with the Ministry of Justice's Agency of Corrections, comprehensive universal screening, and immediate treatment within the correctional setting. In the community, a collaborative care model was introduced in Changhua County to address HCV among marginalized populations, including PWID, people living with human immunodeficiency virus, prisoners, and those undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. This model achieved both high screening and treatment uptake rate, demonstrating that successful elimination requires highly integrated approaches. Ideally, such programs should be coordinated by public health authorities in partnership with healthcare providers to ensure concurrent delivery of screening and treatment across all potential contact points with PWID. Taiwan's experience with prison-based elimination programs and community-based integrated care provides valuable insights and practical strategies for advancing HCV micro-elimination efforts among PWID worldwide.

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health challenge, affecting an estimated 50 million people. In most cases, infection becomes chronic, with long-term risks including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Beyond hepatic complications, many individuals experience non-specific symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive impairment, which can significantly impact daily functioning. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals has transformed HCV management, offering cure rates above 95% with minimal side effects. However, HCV continues to disproportionately affect marginalised groups, including people who inject drugs, migrants, and those experiencing homelessness. With targeted support and inclusive care pathways, these populations can be effectively treated. In this review, we examine the latest developments in HCV care, including current treatment protocols, emerging clinical trial data, and future directions - particularly the pursuit of a preventative vaccine. Achieving HCV elimination will require not only continued therapeutic innovation, but also a commitment to equality and equity in healthcare delivery.

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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health challenge. The Changhua Integrated Program to Stop HCV Infection (CHIPS-C), launched in 2019, aimed to achieve HCV elimination in alignment with Taiwan's 2025 national target by combining general population testing with targeted micro-elimination strategies. METHODS: Antecedent anti-HCV data were used to estimate viremic HCV prevalence to set diagnostic and treatment targets. HCV testing was embedded into services for marginalized populations, chronic disease management, and community-based multiple screening through collaboration among gastroenterologists and various specialties. Program performance was assessed using HCV care cascade indicators, and population-level impact was evaluated by care delivery channels, age, gender, geographic areas, and changes in HCV viremia prevalence. RESULTS: Marginalized populations had an average HCV prevalence of 54.9 %, with moderate rates (5.8 %-7.4 %) in chronic disease groups and the lowest prevalence (2.6 %) in the general population. From 2005 to 2024, 513897 individuals were screened through the extensive, county-wide participation of all relevant care settings. High care cascade performance was consistently achieved across all care settings. Overall, 98.5 % (16675) of the estimated viremic cases were diagnosed, and 90.5 % (15098) of those diagnosed received treatment, exceeding the WHO's programmatic target. HCV viremia prevalence declined from 2.43 % in 2003 to 0.39 % in 2024, marking an 84.1 % reduction. CONCLUSION: The CHIPS-C program demonstrated that integrating HCV elimination within diverse communicable and noncommunicable disease programs can effectively accelerate progress toward elimination goals. This locally led, collaborative, and multi-channel strategy provides a scalable model for other regions with comparable HCV burdens.

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major global health burden, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare. In 2017, Taiwan launched its National Hepatitis C Elimination Program, aiming for national elimination by 2025 through micro-elimination strategies, with a focus on hyperendemic areas. This review summarizes the outcomes of multiple intervention models implemented across high-prevalence areas. In regions with anti-HCV prevalence exceeding 10 %, targeted outreach by hepatologists or multidisciplinary teams has achieved a high reduction in viremia. Community-based screening and treatment campaigns in underserved areas demonstrated treatment rates exceeding 90 %, and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates over 95 %. These efforts were supported by national health insurance coverage, governmental policies, decentralized care delivery, and integration with local healthcare systems. Despite these achievements, challenges persist, including low disease awareness, stigma, and disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and indigenous communities. Taiwan's experience illustrates that combining policy support with patient-centered models of care can lead to substantial progress toward HCV elimination. This approach offers a practical and scalable model for other countries aiming to eliminate hepatitis C, particularly in resource-limited or high-burden settings with heterogeneous epidemiology.

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T cells play an important role in initiating antibody responses by instructive signals of cell-cell contacts and secretion of soluble cytokines as mediators. We investigated the role of the modified soluble E2 (sE2F442NYT) antigen from hepatitis C virus (HCV) on healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived immune cells or immunized mouse cells to understand the mechanisms of immune regulation by the candidate vaccine antigen. HCV E2 and E2F442NYT displayed a role in inducing type 17 T-helper cell (Th17) phenotype, as indicated by interleukin-17 (IL-17) expression and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) phosphorylation. The spleen cells from sE2-mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) or sE2F442NYT-mRNA-LNP-immunized mice exhibited similar IL-17A mRNA levels, and Th17 (CXCR3-CCR6+) cells in CD4+CD44+ spleen cells, supporting both sE2 and modified sE2F442NYT-induced Th17 polarization. Immunohistochemical and multiplex immunofluorescence imaging studies revealed abundant CD4+CXCR5+T cells co-localized with BCL6 in sE2F442NYT-mRNA-LNP immunized mouse spleen cells than unmodified sE2-mRNA-LNP immunized animals, suggesting sE2F442NYT induces stronger follicular helper T cell generation. We previously demonstrated increased total IgG production and isotype switching from IgG1 to IgG2a and IgG2b in sE2442NYT immunized mice. The stronger B and T cell responses observed from modified sE2F442NYT support the overall in vivo outcome of the study toward a higher B helper T cell generation from sE2F442NYT-mRNA-LNP immunization as compared to unmodified sE2-mRNA-LNP.IMPORTANCEThe study will help rationalize HCV vaccine antigen selection for an effective immune response. Extension by additional strategies may be useful to direct stronger B helper T cell generation for prolonged vaccine-associated protection.

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Since 2010, high-risk sexual contact has become a major route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Taiwan, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). With the rollout of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and the implementation of national strategies such as mass screening and reflex viral load testing to improve detection of HCV viremia, Taiwan has made substantial progress toward HCV elimination. Among MSM living with HIV, the prevalence, incidence, and reinfection rates of HCV have significantly declined following the implementation of the HCV elimination program. This success has been largely attributed to the integration of HCV care into routine HIV services, resulting in high rates of HCV screening, confirmation of viremia, and treatment uptake. In contrast, the HCV epidemiology among HIV-negative MSM remains poorly characterized, and those not engaged in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs may have limited access to testing and treatment. As Taiwan has achieved the goals of HCV elimination in the general population, sustained efforts are needed to timely diagnose sexually transmitted HCV infection, monitor reinfection, and expand unlimited access to DAAs to sustain elimination efforts beyond 2025.

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IntroductionHepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV) are bloodborne infections, with individuals who have histories of substance use and homelessness bearing a disproportionate risk. Long-standing difficulties in engaging these populations have made testing and treatment challenging. This retrospective observational study describes a community-based approach to HBV/HCV prevention and treatment, comparing the effectiveness of different engagement site types in reaching and engaging this high-need population.MethodsGRASSROOTS HEALTH was launched in 2018 to improve HBV/HCV care by providing on-site testing, HBV vaccination, treatment navigation, and adherence support across various housing and drop-in centers. Outcomes were tracked through REDCap and analyzed by engagement site.ResultsGRASSROOTS HEALTH reached nearly 2000 clients, with the greatest needs for HCV treatment in drop-in centers and HBV vaccination in low-income/permanent supportive housing. All sites demonstrated a relatively high return on effort, as evidenced by the percentage of participants needing HBV vaccination or HCV/HBV treatment.ConclusionEngaging individuals through housing and service centers effectively reached a high-need community, with findings suggesting that different engagement points may enhance outreach based on the primary focus (HCV treatment vs HBV vaccination).

What is already known on this topic? Individuals experiencing homelessness face a higher risk of hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV). Community-engaged outreach may better reach this at-risk population. What is added by this report? This brief research report highlights a model that connected nearly 2000 Texans facing housing insecurity to HBV/HCV care, with two-thirds needing HBV/HCV services. Findings suggest a better return on effort (ROE) when HBV prevention is delivered in low-income and permanent supportive housing than in other settings, while HCV treatment is more needed in drop-in centers compared to other settings. What are the implications for cancer control? This community model of HBV/HCV care can be replicated in various settings. Targeting engagement sites based on specific goals (HBV vaccination or HCV treatment) can help practitioners maximize outreach to high-need populations aligned with those goals.

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major cause of chronic liver disease and premature mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization and US Department of Health and Human Services have committed to eliminating HCV infection as a major public health threat by 2030, as defined by a 90% reduction in incidence of new HCV infections and 65% reduction in mortality from a 2015 baseline. To help to achieve HCV elimination, it will be necessary to increase HCV screening and increase uptake of HCV treatment, particularly within primary care, correctional, and substance use treatment settings. In this review, we provide strategies for healthcare providers to implement in their practice to enhance patients' completion of the steps of the HCV care cascade. Improving successful completion of each step of the cascade will help alleviate the burden of HCV infection and make the 2030 HCV elimination goals a reality.

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The tenth anniversary of the Strategic Plan for Addressing Hepatitis C in the National Health System (PEAHC) is a milestone in Spanish healthcare, consolidating the country as a global leader in the fight against this disease. In these ten years it has been demonstrated that a well-structured strategy can transform a health crisis into an opportunity, reducing the prevalence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population from 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3%-1.8%) in 2014 to 0.12% (95% CI: 0.03-0.24) in 2022, achieving a cure rate greater than 94% in the more than 172,000 patients treated with direct-acting antivirals until 2024, a marked and sustained improvement in all morbidity and mortality indicators in the last decade such as the reduction from 32% in 2015 to 7% in 2024 of patients with HCV on the waiting list for liver transplant. Reductions in active HCV infection among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus, people who inject drugs (PID), and people in the prison setting have been spectacular. Key factors ensuring success have been political commitment and sustainable funding, integrated Public Health strategies for the primary prevention of new HCV cases (improvements in health care safety, transfusion safety, risk and harm reduction programs for PID), a universal public health system that ensures equitable access to treatment, decentralized tasks and, finally, interinstitutional coordination.

El décimo aniversario del Plan Estratégico para el Abordaje de la Hepatitis C en el Sistema Nacional de Salud (PEAHC) marca un hito en la sanidad española, consolidando al país como referente mundial en la lucha contra esta enfermedad. En estos diez años se ha demostrado que una estrategia bien estructurada puede transformar una crisis sanitaria en una oportunidad, logrando una reducción de la prevalencia de infección activa por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en la población general del 1,2% (IC 95%: 0,3%-1,8%) en 2014 al 0,12% (IC 95%: 0,03-0,24) en 2022, una curación superior al 94% en los más de 172.000 pacientes tratados con antivirales de acción directa hasta 2024, y una marcada y sostenida mejora de todos los indicadores de morbimortalidad en la última década como la reducción del 32% en 2015 al 7% en 2024 de pacientes con VHC en lista de espera para trasplante hepático. Las reducciones de infección activa por el VHC en personas con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, personas que se inyectan drogas (PID) y personas privadas de libertad han sido espectaculares. Los factores clave que han garantizado el éxito han sido compromisos políticos y financiación sostenible, estrategias integradas de Salud Pública para la prevención primaria de nuevos casos de VHC (mejoras en la seguridad de la asistencia sanitaria, seguridad transfusional, programas de reducción de riesgos y daños en PID), un sistema sanitario público universal que asegura el acceso equitativo al tratamiento, la descentralización de tareas y, por último, la coordinación interinstitucional.

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Chronic infections such as Helicobacter pylori (Hp), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) significantly contribute to the global cancer burden, necessitating targeted and cost-effective prevention strategies. The Cancer Prevention at Work (CPW) project pioneers an innovative approach by integrating primary prevention interventions into occupational health surveillance (OHS) programs, thus leveraging existing workplace infrastructure for a large-scale impact. CPW aims to screen and treat Hp and HCV infections, and promote HPV vaccination, targeting not only workers but also their household members. CPW aims to support accessibility, facilitate earlier detection, and strengthen cancer prevention at a population level. The project employs a micro-elimination strategy for HCV, supports data-driven risk assessment for Hp and HPV, and promotes evidence-based communication to reduce HPV vaccine hesitancy. A comprehensive data management framework ensures harmonized data collection, integration, and cost-effectiveness analysis, aiming at providing robust evidence for policy recommendations. Through pilot studies conducted across four European countries, CPW assesses the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and economic sustainability, with the potential to inform future occupational cancer prevention initiatives across Europe. This work summarizes the CPW project's research framework designed to integrate infection-related cancer prevention into workplace health programs across Europe. It details the project's goals, methods, and discusses the impact on occupational cancer prevention.

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The STOP-HCC-HCV program to screen and treat hepatitis C, vaccinate for hepatitis B, and prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is implementing a novel approach that includes a novel cloud-based privacy-preserving platform, TripleBlind, to overcome electronic health record (EHR) native reporting limitations without removing data at four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in South Texas, USA. The program serves a primarily low-income, medically underserved Latino population, in which HCC occurs at higher rates than nationally. At the first two FQHCs, the approach yielded improved accuracy, showing that 28% and 308% more patients, respectively, were screened than was previously reported, with quarterly reporting time decreased from many hours over multiple days to under four minutes.

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New York State and New York City (NYC) developed hepatitis C (HCV) elimination plans to reduce premature deaths and new infections. NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H + H), the municipal healthcare system for NYC serving over a million individuals annually, designed electronic health record (EHR) tools that collaboratively facilitated screening, linkage, and tracking of patients diagnosed with HCV through to cure. This study reviews the impact of this group of EHR tools by comparing data on HCV testing, linkage, and cure for 12 months before tools were released and a second 12-month period coinciding with the release of tools. Indicators related to HCV screening, diagnoses, treatment initiation, and cure were assessed. All indicators reviewed improved following the implementation of EHR tools. The proportion of individuals screened increased from 34% pre-intervention to 46% during the implementation phase; the number of individuals on direct-acting antivirals increased by 11%; and the number of individuals reaching cure increased by 37%. Efforts to collaboratively develop custom interlinking EHR tools to establish a systematic process proved impactful. Integrating the needs and functions of different care settings and the structure of the local epidemic allowed for the successful development and implementation of impactful resources.

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INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis is an infection of liver tissue that results in extensive liver scarring, liver failure, liver cancer, and death. An individual's knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices toward hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection are vital for controlling their adverse health impacts. Our study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices (KAPs) and associated factors among patients in the North Gondar Zone toward hepatitis B and C virus infection. METHOD: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2023 among 383 randomly selected patients visiting Debark and Janamora Hospitals in the North Gondar Zone. Data on KAP related to hepatitis B and C viruses among patients were collected by interviewing participants via pretested and well-structured questionnaires. Bivariate (P value less than 0.25) and multivariate (P- value less than 0.05) logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with KAP levels among patients attending Debark and Janamora hospitals. RESULTS: In this study, 208 (54.3%) of participants had good knowledge, 203 (53%) had poor attitudes, and 210 (54.8%) had poor prevention practices. Educational level and hospital admission history were significantly associated with knowledge; residence and educational level were significantly associated with attitudes; and only study participants' attitudes were significantly associated with prevention practices. CONCLUSION: A large number of patients included in our study had poor attitudes and prevention practices toward the hepatitis B and C viruses. Therefore, intervention strategies such as community-based education on attitude improvement and prevention practices should be planned and implemented by the local health bureau to overcome morbidity and mortality due to HBV and HCV.

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Viral hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are major public health concerns in Mexico, driving liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Genome-based Mexican (GENOMEX) diet, rich in bioactive compounds, may provide a nutritional strategy for preventing and managing liver disease. This study combines a literature review with integrative bioinformatic analyses to map the antiviral and hepatoprotective mechanisms activated by GENOMEX-derived bioactives and assess their therapeutic potential for preventing and managing liver disease. A literature-based review integrated with bioinformatics to identify the pathways activated by nutrients and bioactive compounds of the GENOMEX diet against HBV, HCV, and MASLD, incorporating data from in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, was conducted. An integrative bioinformatic approach, incorporating the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database and Functional Enrichment Analysis (STRING, DAVID, and Enrichr), was used to identify links between genes, nutrients, and bioactive compounds, with a subset of Mexican food staples included in the GENOMEX diet. The GENOMEX diet includes bioactive nutrients that may modulate molecular pathways related to immune response, oxidative stress, nutrient metabolism, and inflammation. Through integrative analysis, we identified key molecular targets-including TNF, PPARA, TP53, and IL6-that are implicated in viral replication, MASLD progression, and hepatocarcinogenesis. Functional enrichment revealed that these traditional Mexican foods and their nutrients are associated with genes and pathways involved in viral infection, metabolic dysfunction, fibrosis, and liver cancer. These findings highlight that the gene-nutrient interactions of the Mexican staple food in the GENOMEX diet can be integrated into nutritional strategies to prevent and manage HBV, HCV, and MASLD, while reducing fibrosis and HCC progression. These strategies are especially relevant in regions where antiviral treatments are limited due to high costs, antiviral resistance, and an escalating mismatch between the population's evolutionary genetics and modern environment.

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ABSTRACT: We evaluated hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening practices at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Rhode Island. Risk-based HCV screening generated fewer tests than universal screening but may have missed infections in men who have sex with men. Injection drug use was most strongly associated with positive HCV antibody test results.

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Timely and efficient diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the effective approach for the subsequent care cascade of HCV treatment. It is of importance in under-resourced areas. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a point-of-care (POC) model by a rapid diagnostic test and subsequent confirmational HCV RNA test in remote islands where traffic is an additional hurdle for health care. We conducted a mass POC screening program in 3 outlying islands, including Liuqiu (6.8 km2, 12,000 residents), Green (15.1 km2, 4280 residents), and Orchid (48.4 km2, 5230 residents) islands. We used immunochromatography-based finger-tip assays for HCV antibody detection. Serum HCV RNA was measured among patients seropositive for the rapid anti-HCV test. There were 1055, 268, and 276 adult residents receiving rapid tests in Liuqiu, Green, and Orchid, respectively, yielding response rates of 47.0%, 41.1%, and 24.4%, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV-positive were 1.3% (n = 14), 1.1% (n = 3), and 0, respectively. Nine (52.9%) of the 17 anti-HCV-positive patients were HCV RNA-negative. The HCV RNA-positive patients then received anti-viral treatment. The average turnaround time for overall POC HCV test results was 11.8 ± 3.2 min, and the sampling time was completed within 10-30 s. Meanwhile, the labor cost of HCV RNA screening was 156.3 USD, which was a 28.6% decrease compared to traditional methods. The study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the POC model for HCV elimination in remote islands with limited resources.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and acceptance of an opportunistic population-based screening program in a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit as a hepatitis C elimination strategy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Digestive Endoscopy Unit of a hospital in Spain between February 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: The participation rate was 99.6%, and 4701 individuals were evaluated. The median age was 60 years, and 53.4% were women. A total of 70 participants were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. The seroprevalence was 1.49% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-1.84%]. Less than one-third of the HCV antibody-positive subjects were unaware of their condition. The overall active HCV infection prevalence was 0.26% (95% CI: 0.11-0.41%). The most frequent risk factors were previous surgical interventions and drug consumption. Approximately 80% of the anti-HCV-positive individuals were born between 1950 and 1980. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunistic screening of HCV-infected patients older than 40 years could contribute to the identification of HCV-infected patients and linkage to care for hepatitis C elimination at the hospital level. Gastrointestinal endoscopy units can be a good setting for opportunistic screening.