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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2014; 20(36): 12722-12733
Published online Sep 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12722
Published online Sep 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12722
Eligibility of persons who inject drugs for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection
Amber Arain, Geert Robaeys, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium
Amber Arain, Geert Robaeys, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Geert Robaeys, Department of Hepatology, UZ Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Author contributions: Arain A and Robaeys G contributed equally to this work; both authors performed the literature review and wrote the paper.
Supported by Limburg Clinical Research Program (LCRP) and by the Limburg Sterk Merk Foundation of Hasselt University, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg and Jessa Hospital
Correspondence to: Geert Robaeys, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Schiepse Bos 6, 3600 Genk, Belgium. geert.robaeys@zol.be
Telephone: +32-89-326505 Fax: +32-89-327916
Received: November 20, 2013
Revised: April 3, 2014
Accepted: May 19, 2014
Published online: September 28, 2014
Revised: April 3, 2014
Accepted: May 19, 2014
Published online: September 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: People who inject drugs are considered to be the main reservoir for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Accumulating evidence indicates that HCV-infected injection drug users can be successfully treated, and the earlier they are treated, the better the outcome. Therefore, in the future, the barriers for antiviral treatment for these individuals must be overcome. This topic highlight presents the most recent data concerning HCV infection and treatment of injection drug users.