Hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis: Nationwide observational cohort study in the country of Georgia, 2015-2020.

Background: The Eastern European country of Georgia initiated a nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015 to address a high burden of infection. Screening for HCV infection through antibody testing was integrated into multiple existing programs, including the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). We sought to compare the hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Georgia between 2015 and 2019 and to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) in hepatitis C care among patients with TB.

Treatment of hepatitis C in primary health care in the country of Georgia.

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The prevalence of hyperglycemia and its impact on mortality among people living with HIV in Georgia.

Background: Life expectancy and quality of life of people living with HIV have been dramatically improved after introducing antiretroviral therapy, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases has increased. Several studies have found that hyperglycemia with or without type 2 diabetes was associated with poor outcomes in people living with HIV. The study's objective was to determine the prevalence of hyperglycemia and assess its impact on mortality.

Association of Treated and Untreated Chronic Hepatitis C With the Incidence of Active Tuberculosis Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes dysregulation and suppression of immune pathways involved in the control of tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, data on the role of chronic hepatitis C as a risk factor for active TB are lacking. We sought to evaluate the association between HCV infection and the development of active TB.

Economic evaluation of the Hepatitis C virus elimination program in the country of Georgia, 2015 to 2017.

Background And Aims: In 2015, the country of Georgia launched an elimination program aiming to reduce the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 90% from 5.4% prevalence (~150 000 people). During the first 2.

Retreatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: Real-World Regimens and Outcomes From National Treatment Programs in Three Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Access to recommended second-line treatments is limited for patients who fail initial hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy in low- and middle-income countries. Alternative regimens and associated outcomes are not well understood. Through a pooled analysis of national program data in Egypt, Georgia, and Myanmar, we observed SVR rates >90% for alternative retreatment regimens.

An evaluation of the hepatitis C testing, care and treatment program in the country of Georgia's corrections system, December 2013 - April 2015.

Background: The country of Georgia has a high burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and prisoners are disproportionately affected. During 2013, a novel program offering no cost screening and treatment of HCV infection for eligible prisoners was launched.

Methods: The HCV treatment program implemented a voluntary opt-in anti-HCV testing policy to all prisoners.

Treatment outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving sofosbuvir-based combination therapy within national hepatitis C elimination program in the country of Georgia.

Background: Georgia has one of the highest HCV prevalence in the world and launched the world's first national HCV elimination programs in 2015. Georgia set the ambitious target of diagnosing 90% of people living with HCV, treating 95% of those diagnosed and curing 95% of treated patients by 2020. We report outcomes of Sofosbuvir (SOF) based treatment regimens in patients with chronic HCV infection in Georgia.

Interim effect evaluation of the hepatitis C elimination programme in Georgia: a modelling study.

Background: Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C, with 5·4% of adults chronically infected. On April 28, 2015, Georgia launched a national programme to eliminate hepatitis C by 2020 (90% reduction in prevalence) through scaled-up treatment and prevention interventions. We evaluated the interim effect of the programme and feasibility of achieving the elimination goal.

Progress and challenges of a pioneering hepatitis C elimination program in the country of Georgia.

Background & Aims: Georgia, with a high prevalence of HCV infection, launched the world's first national hepatitis C elimination program in April 2015. A key strategy is the identification, treatment, and cure of the estimated 150,000 HCV-infected people living in the country. We report on progress and key challenges from Georgia's experience.

Three Years of Progress Toward Achieving Hepatitis C Elimination in the Country of Georgia, April 2015-March 2018.

Background: In April 2015, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gilead Sciences, the country of Georgia embarked on the world's first hepatitis C elimination program. We aimed to assess progress toward elimination targets 3 years after the start of the elimination program.

Methods: We constructed a hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade for adults in Georgia, based on the estimated 150 000 persons aged ≥18 years with active HCV infection.

Progress in Testing for and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Who Inject Drugs - Georgia, 2018.

In April 2015, the country of Georgia, with a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (5.4% of the adult population, approximately 150,000 persons), embarked on the world's first national elimination program (1,2). Nearly 40% of these infections are attributed to injection drug use, and an estimated 2% of the adult population currently inject drugs, among the highest prevalence of injection drug use in the world (3,4).

Epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance in HIV patients with virologic failure of first-line therapy in the country of Georgia.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance is a major threat to the sustained impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We studied the epidemiology of drug resistance in the country of Georgia. The study included all adult patients who experienced virologic failure on first line ART and received HIV drug resistance testing between 2005 and 2016.

Regression of liver fibrosis over a 24-week period after completing direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving care within the national hepatitis C elimination program in Georgia: results of hepatology clinic HEPA experience.

Objective: We assessed the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy on liver fibrosis regression measured by transient elastography (TE) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in HCV monoinfected patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis receiving interferon (IFN)-containing or IFN-free DAA therapy. Liver stiffness (LS) score more than 14.

The Role of Screening and Treatment in National Progress Toward Hepatitis C Elimination - Georgia, 2015-2016.

Georgia, a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In April 2015, with technical assistance from CDC, Georgia embarked on the world's first program to eliminate hepatitis C, defined as a 90% reduction in HCV prevalence by 2020 (1,2). The country committed to identifying infected persons and linking them to care and curative antiviral therapy, which was provided free of charge through a partnership with Gilead Sciences (1,2).

Impact of hepatitis C virus recombinant form RF1_2k/1b on treatment outcomes within the Georgian national hepatitis C elimination program.

Aim: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant form RF1_2k/1b is common in ethnic Georgians. This chimera virus contains genomic fragments of genotype 2 and genotype 1 and is misclassified as genotype 2 by standard genotyping. We aimed to identify RF1_2k/1b strains among genotype 2 patients and assess its impact on treatment outcomes.

National Progress Toward Hepatitis C Elimination - Georgia, 2015-2016.

The country of Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, associated with exposures to HCV in health care settings with inadequate infection control and unsafe injections among persons who inject drugs (1). In April 2015, in collaboration with CDC and other partners, Georgia embarked on a program to eliminate HCV infection, subsequently defined as achieving a 90% reduction in prevalence by 2020. The initial phase of the program focused on providing HCV treatment to infected persons with advanced liver disease and at highest risk for HCV-associated morbidity and mortality.

Significant Improvements Are Needed in HIV Care Continuum to Meet 90-90-90 Targets in Georgia.

The objective of this report was to assess Georgia's progress toward Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 targets over the period between 2011 and 2015. The number of HIV-positive persons was estimated using Spectrum software. Number of persons diagnosed, on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and virally suppressed were quantified using data from the national AIDS health information system.

The natural history of recent hepatitis C virus infection among blood donors and injection drug users in the country of Georgia.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious health problem in Georgia.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to identify and characterize the natural history of recent HCV infection since very first days of infection. Recent HCV infection was defined as detectable plasma HCV RNA in the absence of anti-HCV antibodies.

Launch of a Nationwide Hepatitis C Elimination Program--Georgia, April 2015.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 130-150 million persons globally and results in an estimated 700,000 deaths annually from hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis. Georgia, a middle-income Eurasian country, has one of the highest estimated HCV prevalences in the world. In 2011, Georgia began offering treatment to a limited number of HCV-infected persons.

High incidence of the hepatitis C virus recombinant 2k/1b in Georgia: Recommendations for testing and treatment.

Aim: The first hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant, RF2k/1b, was initially described from Russia and has since then been identified from patients in Ireland, Estonia, Uzbekistan and Cyprus. Many of these patients originated from Georgia; however, there is no information on its prevalence in Georgia or its susceptibility to antiviral treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively sequenced the non-structural region 5B (NS5B) of the HCV genome in samples from 72 Georgian patients, 36 of whom had been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.