Abstract
BackgroundData on the true prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population is essential. We evaluated a program implementing free universal HCV screening using a non-invasive point-of-care test (POCT) (OraQuick-HCV rapid test) in oral fluid in an urban area in Valencia, South-Eastern Spain.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed during 2015–2017. Free HCV screening was offered by regular mail to 11,500 individuals aged 18 and over, randomly selected from all census residents in the Health Department. All responding participants filled in a questionnaire about HCV infection risk factors and were tested in their tertiary Hospital. In those with a positive POCT, results were confirmed by enzyme-immunoassay and HCV-RNA.Results1,206 persons agreed to participate (response rate: 11.16%). HCV antibodies were detected in 19 (1.60%) cases (age-sex standardized rate: 1.31%; 95%CI: 0.82–2.07), but only 8 showed positive HCV-RNA (age-sex standardized rate: 0.56%; 95%CI: 0.28–1.14). The majority (89%) of the cases were born before 1965 and 74% had at least one known risk factor for HCV infection. All anti-HCV positive individuals were already aware of their infection, and no undiagnosed cases were detected. The performance of the POCT was excellent for detecting active infection.ConclusionsThese preliminary data suggest that HCV population screening with a POCT is feasible but, in our setting, mailing recruiting is not effective (11% response rate). The low prevalence of HCV antibodies and active infection in the participant population (with no new diagnoses made) suggests that, in our setting, underdiagnosis may be uncommon.
Highlights
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a considerable economic burden on health-care systems.[1,2,3] A reliable estimation of the actual prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is needed to meet the World Health Organization first action plan.[4]
These preliminary data suggest that HCV population screening with a point-of-care tests (POCT) is feasible but, in our setting, mailing recruiting is not effective (11% response rate)
We recently reported the performance of the test as a diagnostic technique for a rapid detection of anti-HCV antibodies in oral mucosal transudate (OMT) and fingerstick blood samples
Summary
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNITED STATES Received: July 27, 2019 Accepted: January 13, 2020. Data on the true prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population is essential. We evaluated a program implementing free universal HCV screening using a non-invasive point-of-care test (POCT) (OraQuick-HCV rapid test) in oral fluid in an urban area in Valencia, South-Eastern Spain. Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are available thorough Dryad
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