PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Protocol: Prospective observational study aiming for micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus in Nagawa town: The Nagawa Project.

  • Hiroyuki Kobayashi,
  • Satoru Joshita,
  • Yuki Akahane,
  • Katsuhiko Matsuzaki,
  • Hiromi Yamada,
  • Daiki Aomura,
  • Nao Joshita,
  • Hajime Midorikawa,
  • Kazuhiro Suyama,
  • Masao Ota,
  • Shun-Ichi Wakabayashi,
  • Yuki Yamashita,
  • Ayumi Sugiura,
  • Tomoo Yamazaki,
  • Hiromichi Misawa,
  • Takeji Umemura

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256711
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 8
p. e0256711

Abstract

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BackgroundThe World Health Organization has set a goal of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by the year 2030. However, no regions in Japan have succeeded in eradicating HCV. Micro-elimination is an approach to attain hepatitis C eradication in which national eradication goals are applied to specific populations so that viral treatment and control efforts can move forward quickly and efficiently. In order to eradicate HCV from Japan, this study aims to achieve HCV micro-elimination in the town of Nagawa.Methods and designThe Nagawa Project is an ongoing, prospective, multiple-institution, observational study running from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. All residents of Nagawa town, excluding those under 20 years of age, not consenting to the study, or unable to undergo health check-ups due to nursing care needs, will be included. If found to be HCV antibody-positive, the participant will be recommended to see a doctor in consideration of MAC-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer values. Then, the participant will undergo serum HCV RNA measurement with the real-time polymerase chain reaction by an attending physician. If the participant is HCV RNA-positive, he or she will be referred to a hepatologist for further evaluation. In the case of a definitive diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C, direct acting antiviral treatment will be initiated. Through this process, HCV will be systematically micro-eliminated from the region.DiscussionThe Nagawa Project will reveal the prevalence of chronic HCV in addition to the HCV eradication rate in Nagawa town towards achieving HCV micro-elimination.Trial registrationThis study is performed by Shinshu University School of Medicine and was registered as UMIN 000044114 on May 6, 2021.