Hepatitis B prevalence in an endemic area of hepatitis C virus: A population-based study implicated in hepatitis elimination in Thailand.

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are major health challenges in Thailand, with Phetchabun province, a known HCV-endemic area, being a key target for elimination efforts. This study aimed to assess HBV prevalence and identify associated risk factors in this province. Data was collected from three cross-sectional population studies: (1) adults in 2015 (n = 1,667, age 30-64 years), (2) young adults in 2017 (n = 1,453, age 18-30 years), both from high HCV-endemic districts, and (3) a province-wide study in 2018 (n = 4,769, age 35-64 years).

Qualitative hepatitis C virus RNA assay identifies active infection with sufficient viral load for treatment among Phetchabun residents in Thailand.

The World Health Organization envisions the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 through reducing prevalence and transmission, increasing diagnostic screening, and expanding treatment coverage. Efforts to micro-eliminate hepatitis in Phetchabun province in Thailand, a region where the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and liver cancer is higher than elsewhere in the country, began with evaluating the province-wide burden of HCV. Here, we describe a feasibility study to assess active HCV infection by screening Phetchabun residents ages 35 to 69 years for anti-HCV antibodies by using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) at the point of care.

Prescreening with a Rapid Diagnostic Test Followed by a Confirmatory Qualitative Nucleic Acid Test Can Simplify Hepatitis C Diagnosis.

Asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without treatment is associated with chronic liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma. A major obstacle to hepatitis C diagnosis leading to antiviral treatment in some developing countries is the complicated HCV testing required before treatment. To simplify an HCV test-to-treat strategy, which could lead to timely diagnosis and treatment at the point-of-care, we evaluated the performance of four anti-HCV rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) (Abon, Blue Cross, Healgen, and SD Bioline).