Italian migrants study: An HCV and HBV micro-elimination pilot project

•Micro-elimination projects may help to achieve the WHO HCV and HBV eradication goal.•We screened for HCV, HBV and HDV infections, a population of newly arrived migrants reaching Italy from high endemic countries•We detected a low to moderate prevalence of HBV markers in African and Asian migrants, which were mainly antibodies induced either by previous infections or by vaccination.•HCV and HIV chronic carriers were found only in migrants already living in Italy.•Newly arrived migrants were determined to be in relative good health and not contagious for viral infections. Rather they risk contracting viral infections upon arrival in Italy, especially if not socially integrated and with no access to welfare and public health services. Migrants represent a key target population for viral hepatitis micro-elimination programs and are important targets for specific prevention, screening and treatment programs. To raise awareness on viral hepatitis among migrants and key stakeholders, assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV among migrants, and determine an optimal and scalable viral hepatitis screening and treatment protocol. Unselected, consecutive migrants reaching the costs of Italy were screened for HBV, HCV, HDV and HIV markers. Anagraphic and anamnestic information were used to identify viral hepatitis endemic hotspots in the countries of birth or transit. Personal data, including migration route, test results and treatment, were collected and stored in a dedicated database 362 patients were recruited in 2019; median age was 28 years, 71% were male. Most of the patients were African (54%) or Asian (40%). 49% positive for at least one HBV marker: 2.2% HBsAg (asymptomatic carriers with low viremia); 10.6% anti-HBs; 28.5% anti-HBs and anti-HBc, 1.7% anti-HCV, 0.6% anti-HIV, with low or undetectable viral load. Libya was the nexus shared by most of the positive, reactive cases. HCV and HIV markers were only found in migrants already resident in Italy for more than 6–12 months. Low to moderate prevalence of hepatitis B markers were observed in African and Asian first arrival migrants. Migrants positive for HCV and HIV likely acquired the infection after arrival in Italy, suggesting migrants are at risk of contracting viral infections once in Italy, highlighting the importance of ensuring access to prevention for migrant communities.