The advent of highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) has revolutionized HCV treatment. 13, 14 French data collected between 20 showed a considerable fluctuation in the incidence of HCV reinfections after treatment‐induced SVR in HIV+ MSM that exceeded the incidence of first infections, suggesting that a subgroup of MSM continues to engage in high‐risk practices after SVR. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 While in PWIDs, especially in case of ongoing intravenous drug use (IDU) or opioid substitution, rates of HCV diagnosis and treatment uptake still remain low, MSM tend to show high treatment uptake and SVR rates. 7, 8, 9, 10 The use of drugs to enhance sexual experience (‘chemsex’) has become a major contributing factor in the current HCV epidemic among MSM as it stimulates high‐risk sexual behaviour including promiscuity, traumatic anal intercourse and extensive sex duration as well as condomless sex, which in turn promotes the transmission of HIV, HCV and other sexually transmitted infections. While people who inject drugs (PWIDs) are known to have an increased risk for the acquisition of HIV and HCV, recent trends in risk behaviour, especially among HIV+ men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, have been reported as another main HCV transmission route. 4, 5 Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of HCV as well as follow‐up (FU) after achieving sustained virological response (SVR) are essential. Human immunodeficiency virus infection accelerates the progression of liver disease towards end‐stage liver disease and portal hypertension, being most pronounced in immunocompromised patients.
1 While human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐related deaths show a global decrease, hepatitis C‐induced liver disease – mainly due to the shared transmission routes – remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the HIV+ patient population. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a leading cause for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver‐related death worldwide.