Scientists have been able to develop the fastest diagnostic test for hepatitis C virus to date, as it provides accurate results in just 15 minutes, which is much less time than currently available options.
The test is based on a rapid PCR system that was originally developed to detect Covid-19, then adapted to work directly on whole blood samples.
Independent validation of the test showed a 100% match to commercial diagnostic platforms currently in use, confirming its accuracy and reliability.
The importance of this speed is that it allows the patient to be diagnosed and treatment to begin on the same day, which is a crucial factor in reducing severe complications and deaths resulting from delayed care.
It is estimated that chronic infection with hepatitis C virus infects about 50 million people around the world, and causes about 242 thousand deaths annually as a result of cirrhosis or liver cancer. Although the infection is completely curable with effective medications within a period ranging between 8 and 12 weeks, treatment rates are still low, and the slow and difficult diagnosis is one of the main obstacles.
The new test allows it to be administered directly in the healthcare setting during a patient visit, opening the door to diagnosis and treatment in the same visit, which supports global efforts to eliminate the hepatitis C virus.
The analytical and clinical results of the test showed strong performance, making it a promising tool for achieving the goals of eliminating the disease in the coming years.
This innovation is based on a flexible PCR platform capable of handling whole blood samples without the need for complex laboratory equipment; To ensure its accuracy, 97 clinical samples were tested using this system, and the results showed complete conformity with approved commercial tests.
Diagnosing hepatitis C usually requires two stages: first an antibody test to see if a person has ever been exposed to the virus, then a PCR test to confirm the presence of an active infection; PCR samples are often sent to external laboratories, which leads to a delay that may extend from days to weeks, and requires the patient to return again to obtain the result. Even the rapid tests currently available can take 40 to 60 minutes, which is longer than the duration of a typical medical visit.
Thanks to its great speed, the new test overcomes these limitations, and may bring about a radical shift in the care of hepatitis C patients locally and globally, by improving diagnosis, accelerating the start of treatment, and increasing the number of patients who can be cured in a shorter time, which may contribute to saving millions of lives from devastating, preventable liver complications.
