Performance of rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in whole blood collected on dried blood spots

J Viral Hepat. 2016 May;23(5):399-401. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12501. Epub 2016 Feb 1.

Abstract

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) represent an attractive alternative to enzyme immunoassays. A total of 207 individuals, including 68 HCV-seronegative subjects, 10 patients with resolved infection and 129 patients with chronic HCV infection, were studied. The specificity of RDT detection of anti-HCV antibodies in whole blood was 100% with the four RDTs tested: OraQuick(®) HCV Rapid Antibody Test, First Response HCV Card Test, ASSURE HCV Rapid Test and MultiSure HCV Antibody Assay. Their diagnostic sensitivity varied between 98.6% and 100%. RDT detection of anti-HCV antibody in whole blood collected on dried blood spots appears to be a promising new tool for broadscale screening of HCV infection in high- to medium-risk populations.

Keywords: anti-HCV antibodies; hepatitis C; rapid diagnostic test; screening.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chromatography, Affinity / methods*
  • Desiccation*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies