INTRODUCTION: The implementation of nationwide viral hepatitis C elimination programs is challenging in Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). It is reasonable to start by targeting specific populations, such as people living with HIV (PLWH), who are at higher risk of acquiring HCV or developing HCV-related complications. METHODS: Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group consists of experts in the field of infectious diseases from 26 countries in the region. Between April 26th and June 23rd 2023, the group performed an on-line survey consisting of 32 questions. The questionnaire assessed the status of HCV micro-elimination in 2022. RESULTS: Twelve HIV centers from 11 countries responded: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. All centers screen for HCV antibody all PLWH at entry into care. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was <5% in 5 centers (Albania, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Hungary), 30.2% in Estonia and 29% in Ukraine, Greece and Moldova had high seroprevalence as well, 15.3% and 15.6% respectively. The prevalence of HCV viremia in antibody-positive PLWH was very high in Greece (85%), while in most other treatment centers it ranged from 4.2% to 38.2%. There is also a screening policy of annual HCV-testing of HCV-antibody negative persons in all centers by either testing all PLWH or those considered at risk. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) were not available in one country (Albania). Among PLWH who entered care in 2022, nine out of 12 ECEE centers reported cases of HCV/HIV coinfection, with five centers indicating that at least 50% of these individuals were HCV-viremic. CONCLUSIONS: HCV screening in PLWH followed by access to DAA treatments were available in all but one center. Microelimination of HCV in PLWH in the majority of surveyed HIV treatment centers in CEEC has not been achieved and efforts to reach this goal need to be strengthened.

MD Department of Infectious Diseases 1 Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague and Faculty Hospital Bulovka Prague Czech Republic

MD Department of Infectious Diseases 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Military University Hospital Prague Czech Republic

MD Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases within NAMS of Ukraine Kyiv Ukraine

MD PhD 4 Department of Internal Medicine University Hospital Attikon National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece

MD PhD Clinic for Infectious Diseases University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska Banja Luka the Republic of Srpska and Department for Infectious Diseases Faculty of Medicine University Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina

MD PhD Clinical Center of Vojvodina Novi Sad Serbia

MD PhD Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases Hospital for Infectious Diseases Medical University of Warsaw Poland

MD PhD Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases Hospital for Infectious Diseases Medical University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland

MD PhD Department of Infectious Diseases 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Military University Hospital Prague Czech Republic

MD PhD Department of Infectious Diseases Nicolae Testemiţanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Chişinău Republic of Moldova

MD PhD Infectious Disease Department Medical University of Tirana Albania

MD PhD National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases Budapest Hungary

MD PhD University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions Skopje The Republic of North Macedonia

MD PhD University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Zagreb Croatia

MD PhD University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine Department of Pharmacology Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Belgrade Serbia

MD Tartu University Hospital Tartu Estonia

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