We assessed the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in liver explants from 39 patients awaiting liver transplantation who were treated with an interferon-free regimen and had undetectable serum HCV RNA at the time of liver transplantation. Interestingly, HCV RNA was detected in most liver explants (67%). Patients with HCV RNA-positive explants had received shorter courses of treatment, and HCV RNA was undetectable in serum for shorter periods before transplantation compared to patients with HCV RNA-negative explants (P = .014 and P = .013, respectively). Levels of HCV RNA in explants were significantly higher in patients with a relapse of HCV infection than patients who responded to treatment (P = .016), but most patients (85%) with residual HCV-RNA in the explant achieved a sustained virologic response after receiving their liver transplant.

Word countAbstract: 238 words Main text: 2476 words Highlights-HCV infection has spread among HIV-infected MSM through a local network in Barcelona.-A novel method based on low genetic differentiation is proposed to define transmission groups.-Several potential clusters are identified: 8 for gt1a, 1 for gt1b and 7 for gt4d.-HCV gt4d strains cluster with HIV-infected MSM from other European countries. *Highlights (for review)1 Abstract 1Background: The incidence of acute hepatitis C (AHC) among HIV-infected men who 2