Lybeck C, et al. - In this investigation, researchers examined the long-term presence and impact of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) and analyzed the outcomes in terms of liver disease after virological cure. Over the period 1990–2005, a total of 97 patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) were either followed by a clinical follow-up (FU) visit with blood sampling and liver elastography (n=54) or by national registries results (n=43). According to findings, it was possible to detect occult infection many years after the achievement of SVR but was not associated with serious liver disease. After SVR, the majority had persistent viral eradication and fibrosis regression. However, even in noncirrhotic patients, an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma may persist over the long term after SVR.