A population-based screening for hepatitis C antibodies and active infection using a point-of-care test in a low prevalence area.

Background: 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.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed during 2015-2017.

Performance of the OraQuick Hepatitis C virus antibody test in oral fluid and fingerstick blood before and after treatment-induced viral clearance.

Background: A reliable population screening strategy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be based in easy-to-use point-of-care (POC) tests for HCV antibodies, but validation data is needed before their potential widespread use in primary care or outreach practice. Besides, the sensitivity of these POC tests in patients with spontaneous or treatment-induced viral clearance is unknown.

Objectives: To test the performance of a non-invasive POC anti-HCV test (OraQuick HCV rapid test) in oral mucosal transudate (OMT) and fingerstick blood from patients with known anti-HCV serostatus and with or without active viremia (after treatment-induced clearance).