Hepatitis C Virus Infection among People Who Inject Drugs

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatitis C (HCV) remains a global health challenge, with the World Health Organization (WHO) setting ambitious goals for its elimination. Achieving this goal requires substantial advancements in testing, treatment, and post-cure care. This Special Issue of Viruses aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress, challenges, and innovations in addressing HCV, with a particular focus on these critical aspects. The Special Issue will draw upon the expertise of contributors to highlight recent research and developments in combating this pressing health issue.

We invite submissions exploring the following key themes:

1. Advances in hepatitis C testing, including novel diagnostic technologies and strategies to enhance testing accessibility and uptake;
2. Strategies for improving linkage to hepatitis C care post-diagnosis, with a focus on re-engaging previously diagnosed individuals not connected to care;
3. Initiatives to enhance treatment initiation following diagnosis;
4. HCV reinfection following successful treatment for HCV;
5. The intersection of harm reduction, opioid agonist therapy, needle and syringe services, and access to hepatitis C care;
6. Integration of testing and treatment for hepatitis C and other infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, HBV, sexually transmissible infections);
7. Successful programs and case studies demonstrating hepatitis C control or elimination;
8. Interventions aimed at improving hepatitis C care for people who inject drugs.

We prioritise research that significantly contributes to our understanding of these areas, offering novel insights rather than reiterating previously published literature. Submissions evaluating interventions, elucidating care cascades, and providing evidence of infection control or elimination are particularly encouraged. We also seek papers with the potential to inform practice and policy in these domains. Furthermore, we actively encourage contributions from all geographic regions, including lower- and middle-income countries, and advocate for the inclusion of the perspectives and voices of people who use drugs in this collection.

Prof. Dr. Jason Grebely
Dr. Alison D. Marshall
Dr. Evan Cunningham
Dr. Adelina Artenie
Dr. Jack Stone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• hepatitis C
• HCV
• testing
• diagnostics
• treatment
• post-cure care
• follow-up
• reinfection
• linkage to care
• harm reduction
• integrated care
• elimination
• people who use drugs
• patient engagement
• patient-centered care
• healthcare intervention