歯科医師に必要なHCV撲滅時代の知識

抄録

In only 30 years after the discovery of hepatitis C (HCV), the treatment of HCV has advanced rapidly, and now the era has entered the age of eradication of HCV with the advent of DAA (Direct Acting Anti-viral agents). However, HCV should never be disregarded even in the era of eradication. It is necessary to update the knowledge of HCV and to implement correct infection control. For example, anti-HCV antibodies remain positive even after the disappearance of HCV RNA. This knowledge is important to consider the medical safety in the context of cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the end of HCV infection does not mean immediately eradicating HCV liver cancer. Even in the age of eradication, patients with infected with mutant virus remain refractory to treat. Moreover, reactivation of hepatitis virus might occur when administering anticancer drugs. In this paper, I outline the knowledge to which dentists should update in the HCV eradication era.