Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among MSM in Japan from 2009 to 2023
Although the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has decreased significantly with the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents, HCV is known to spread as a sexually transmitted disease among men who have sex with men (MSM), and a study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, provided a perspective on the future prevalence of HCV in Japan.
This retrospective cohort study examined incidence in two groups of MSM with HIV attending IMSUT hospital, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo from 2009 to 2019 and from 2020 to May 2023, and investigated their background factors. Twenty-two cases were newly confirmed with HCV infection in 2009–2019 and a total of 9 cases in 2020–2023, with an incidence rate of 5.04 per 1000 person-years in 2009–2019 and 5.55 per 1000 person-years in 2020–2023. All of them were diagnosed at routine outpatient visits for HIV, and few cases were considered to have symptoms of suspected hepatitis that led to a visit to the hospital and a diagnosis of HCV.
Although HCV is still prevalent among MSM in Japan, it is possible that it would not have been diagnosed without testing at regular visits as in the case of people with HIV, and that the true prevalence rate among MSM, including non-HIV-infected persons, may be much higher.