#20 - Reviral-latam: a Multinational Survey on Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Latin America
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction and Objectives Viral hepatitis remains a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. Implementation of the WHO 2030 elimination agenda across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) remains heterogeneous. REVIRAL-LATAM was conducted under the auspices of the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver (ALEH) to evaluate policies, clinical practices, structural barriers, and implementation gaps in viral hepatitis elimination across the region. Patients and Methods Multinational cross-sectional study using a REDCap-based questionnaire adapted from the Hep-CORE framework (171 variables across ten thematic domains—including governance, diagnosis, treatment, screening, micro-elimination, surveillance, and innovation). Data were collected between May–September 2025, with country-level stratification and construction of a Global Elimination Index (IGE). Results A total of 475 valid responses from 19 LAC countries were analyzed; awareness of national elimination plans was reported for HCV - 67.6% respondents, HBV - 59.1%, and HDV - 11.0%. Test-and-treat implementation remained limited (HCV 19.5%, HBV 13.7%, HDV 3.2%), despite broad availability of simplified HCV treatment (81.5%). Leading barriers included public misinformation(93.1%), insufficient healthcare professional training(86.0%), territorial inequalities(84.8%), lack of prescribing training(81.3%), and hospital-centered care models (77.3%). Coverage was particularly low for indigenous populations(21.8%), migrants(25.5%), and homeless individuals(29.4%). Telemedicine(25.6%), and re-linkage programs(11.4%) remained isolated initiatives. The IGE revealed marked regional heterogeneity(23.7%–55.6%). Conclusions The principal regional gap is implementation capacity, not therapeutic availability—particularly in decentralized diagnosis, surveillance, vulnerable populations, and integrated care. HDV remains the most neglected elimination component. Reflex-testing, simplified treatment pathways, and micro-elimination strategies should be prioritized toward WHO 2030 targets.
Source: Annals of Hepatology
Authors: Joaquín Cabezas, Javier Crespo, Ezequiel Ridruejo, Graciela Castro, Nelia Hernández, Hugo Cheinquer, Fernando Contreras, Christie Perelló, Manuel Mendizabal, Fernando Cairo, Mario Pessoa, Eduardo Emerim, Patricia Guerra, Rodrigo Zapata, Alejandro Soza, Leyla Nazal, Oscar Beltran, Javier Hernández, Martin Garzón, Pablo Coste, Marinela Alvarado, Mirtha Infante, Enrique Carrera, Javier Mora, Marisabel Valdéz, Jose Moreno, Jose Velarde, Tania Mayorga, Miguel Mayo, Enrique Adames, Marcos Girala, Jorge Garabito, Kriss Rodriguez, Federico Rodriguez, Rocío Galloso, Lucy Dagher, Victoria Mainardi, José Calleja
Institutions: Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Hospital de Clínicas, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Hospital Universitario Austral, Hospital El Cruce, Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Universidad del Desarrollo, Clínica Alemana, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Clínica Las Condes, Institute of Cardiology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital Universitario de la Samaritana, Instituto de Gastroenterología, Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Saint Thomas Hospital, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W7204235294