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Grebely J, Matthews S, Causer LM, Feld JJ, Cunningham P, Dore GJ, Applegate TL. We have reached single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C infection, now what? Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:177-191. [PMID: 38173401 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2292645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progress toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is impeded by low testing and treatment due to the current diagnostic pathway requiring multiple visits leading to loss to follow-up. Point-of-care testing technologies capable of detecting current HCV infection in one hour are a 'game-changer.' These tests enable diagnosis and treatment in a single visit, overcoming the barrier of multiple visits that frequently leads to loss to follow-up. Combining point-of-care HCV antibody and RNA tests should improve cost-effectiveness, patient/provider acceptability, and testing efficiency. However, implementing HCV point-of-care testing programs at scale requires multiple considerations. AREAS COVERED This commentary explores the need for point-of-care HCV tests, diagnostic strategies to improve HCV testing, key considerations for implementing point-of-care HCV testing programs, and remaining challenges for point-of-care testing (including operator training, quality management, connectivity and reporting systems, regulatory approval processes, and the need for more efficient tests). EXPERT OPINION It is exciting that single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for HCV infection have been achieved. Innovations afforded through COVID-19 should facilitate the accelerated development of low-cost, rapid, and accurate tests to improve HCV testing. The next challenge will be to address barriers and facilitators for implementing point-of-care testing to deliver them at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Matthews
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Louise M Causer
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Philip Cunningham
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tanya L Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Carrington N, Conway A, Grebely J, Starr M, Catlett B, Stevens A, Prain B, McGrath C, Causer L, Guy R, Holden J, Keen P, Kingsland M, Lu H, Power C, Read P, Murray C, McNulty A, Cunningham P. Testing, diagnosis, and treatment following the implementation of a program to provide dried blood spot testing for HIV and hepatitis C infections: the NSW DBS Pilot. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:137. [PMID: 38287234 PMCID: PMC10823617 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-08989-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dried blood spot (DBS) testing provides an alternative to phlebotomy and addresses barriers to accessing healthcare experienced by some key populations. Large-scale evaluations of DBS testing programs are needed to understand their feasibility. This study evaluated the implementation of a state-wide DBS HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing pilot. METHODS The New South Wales (NSW) DBS Pilot is an interventional cohort study of people testing for HIV antibody and/or HCV RNA from DBS samples in NSW, Australia. Participants at risk of HIV/HCV participated in testing via: 1) self-registration online with a DBS collection kit delivered and returned by conventional postal service; or 2) assisted DBS sample collection at 36 community health sites (including drug treatment and harm-minimisation services) and prisons. Participants received results by text (HIV antibody/ HCV RNA not detected) or a healthcare provider (HIV antibody/ HCV RNA detected). The RE-AIM framework was used to evaluate reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. RESULTS Reach: Between November 2016 and December 2020, 7,392 individuals were tested for HIV and/or HCV (21% self-registration, 34% assisted in community, and 45% assisted in prison). EFFECTIVENESS Of 6,922 people tested for HIV (19% men who have sex with men, 13% living outside major cities, 21% born outside Australia), 51% (3,521/6,922) had no HIV test in the past two years, 0.1% (10/6,922) were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 80% (8/10) initiated HIV treatment within six months. Of 5,960 people tested for HCV (24% women, 35% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, 55% recently injected drugs), 15% had detectable HCV RNA (878/5,960), and 45% (393/878) initiated treatment within six months. Adoption: By the end of 2020, DBS via assisted registration was available at 36 community sites and 21 prisons. IMPLEMENTATION 90% of DBS cards arriving at the laboratory had the three full spots required for testing; the proportion was higher in assisted (94%) compared to online (76%) registration. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the feasibility of DBS testing for HIV and HCV in key populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and demonstrated the utility of DBS in the prison setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Carrington
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna Conway
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Mitchell Starr
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Beth Catlett
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annabelle Stevens
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bianca Prain
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Colette McGrath
- NSW Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanne Holden
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
- NSW Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Melanie Kingsland
- School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Population Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
- Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Heng Lu
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cherie Power
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carolyn Murray
- Centre for Population Health, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna McNulty
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, Australia
- School of Population Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Philip Cunningham
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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