Evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load Finger-Stick Point-of-Care Assay

J Infect Dis. 2018 May 25;217(12):1889-1896. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy114.

Abstract

Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing is advantageous, enabling diagnosis of active infection in a single visit. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load Finger-Stick assay (Xpert HCV VL FS) for HCV RNA detection (finger-stick) and the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay (plasma) compared with the Abbott RealTime HCV Viral Load assay by venepuncture. Plasma and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort in Australia. Of 223 participants enrolled, HCV RNA was detected in 40% of participants (85 of 210) with available Xpert HCV Viral Load testing. Participants receiving HCV therapy were excluded from subsequent analyses (n = 16). Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay for HCV RNA quantification in plasma collected by venepuncture was 100.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 96.9%-100.0%) and specificity was 100.0% (95% CI, 94.4%-100.0%). Sensitivity of the Xpert HCV VL FS assay for HCV RNA quantification in samples collected by finger-stick was 100.0% (95% CI, 93.9%-100.0%) and specificity was 100.0% (95% CI, 96.6%-100.0%). The Xpert HCV VL FS test can accurately detect active infection from a finger-stick sample in 1 hour allowing single-visit HCV diagnosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia
  • Biological Assay / methods*
  • Blood Specimen Collection / methods
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Point-of-Care Testing
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests / methods
  • Viral Load / methods*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral