LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Rapid Test Developed for Hepatitis C Infections

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Apr 2018
Print article
Image: The Genedrive PCR diagnostics platform (Photo courtesy of Genedrive).
Image: The Genedrive PCR diagnostics platform (Photo courtesy of Genedrive).
A rapid, point-of-care PCR-based diagnostic test will allow for the detection of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections under both laboratory and field conditions.

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus affects approximately 1% of the global population (an estimated 71 million people) and claims about 400,000 lives every year. PCR screening for the disease requires dedicated infrastructure and qualified staff. In countries with limited resources, this type of assay is only available in centralized laboratories. Therefore, a major clinical challenge remains to identify undiagnosed patients worldwide, many of whom live in low-income and middle-income countries, where access to nucleic acid testing remains limited. The aim of the current project was to develop and validate a point-of-care (POC) assay for the qualitative detection of HCV RNA.

For this endeavor, investigators at the Pasteur Institute (Paris, France) developed a POC assay for the qualitative detection of HCV RNA on the PCR Genedrive instrument. The Genedrive instrument is a 600-gram portable device that can be battery operated, thus making it highly suitable for decentralized testing in field settings, and requires only 30 microliters of sample.

The investigators validated the Genedrive one hour HCV assay through a case–control study comparing results with those obtained with the Abbott RealTime HCV test.

Results revealed that the Genedrive PoC assay identified all major HCV genotypes, with a limit of detection of 2362 IU/milliliter. Assessing 422 patients chronically infected with HCV and 503 controls negative for anti-HCV and HCV RNA, the Genedrive HCV assay showed 98.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity to HCV.

The Genedrive HCV diagnostic kit has obtained CE certification for distribution in Europe and will be available for sale in the Middle East, Africa, South-East Asia, and India once local regulatory clearance is obtained.

The study was published in the April 3, 2018, online edition of the journal Gut.

Related Links:
Pasteur Institute
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more