We have reached single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C infection, now what?
Expert Rev Mol Diagn
; 24(3): 177-191, 2024 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38173401
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Progress toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is impeded by low testing and treatment due to the current diagnostic pathway requiring multiple visits leading to loss to follow-up. Point-of-care testing technologies capable of detecting current HCV infection in one hour are a 'game-changer.' These tests enable diagnosis and treatment in a single visit, overcoming the barrier of multiple visits that frequently leads to loss to follow-up. Combining point-of-care HCV antibody and RNA tests should improve cost-effectiveness, patient/provider acceptability, and testing efficiency. However, implementing HCV point-of-care testing programs at scale requires multiple considerations. AREAS COVERED This commentary explores the need for point-of-care HCV tests, diagnostic strategies to improve HCV testing, key considerations for implementing point-of-care HCV testing programs, and remaining challenges for point-of-care testing (including operator training, quality management, connectivity and reporting systems, regulatory approval processes, and the need for more efficient tests). EXPERT OPINION It is exciting that single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for HCV infection have been achieved. Innovations afforded through COVID-19 should facilitate the accelerated development of low-cost, rapid, and accurate tests to improve HCV testing. The next challenge will be to address barriers and facilitators for implementing point-of-care testing to deliver them at scale.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article