Cascades of Care as Monitoring Tool for Tracking Global Target of Hepatitis C Virus Elimination

Abstract

Hepatitis C infection is caused by an RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae and the genus Hepacivirus, known as hepatitis C virus (HCV).1 The HCV was first discovered in 1989. HCV is classified into seven phylogenetic clades also known as genotypes (HCV genotype 1,2,3,4,5,6, and 7). HCV is a bloodborne virus predominantly transmitted through parenteral route.
However, in about 20% of HCV infections the route of transmission remains unknown.2 While several studies have isolated HCV RNA from the saliva, semen, urine, sweat, and tears of the HCV infected patients, the risk of transmission associated with exposure to infected body fluids except serum is not clearly defined.