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Nartey YA, Okine R, Seake-Kwawu A, Ghartey G, Asamoah YK, Siaw ADJ, Senya K, Duah A, Owusu-Ofori A, Adarkwa O, Agyeman S, Bampoh SA, Hiebert L, Njuguna H, Gupta N, Ward JW, Roberts LR, Bockarie AS, Awuku YA, Obiri-Yeboah D. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence, testing, and treatment capacity in public health facilities in Ghana, 2016-2021; A multi-centre cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287580. [PMID: 37352242 PMCID: PMC10289322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The current burden of Hepatitis C virus infection and the availability of HCV-related services in Ghana are not well described. Previous estimates on HCV seroprevalence in the country are outdated. This study investigated the HCV seroprevalence and testing and treatment capacity in Ghana. A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted in which laboratory and blood bank registers from 17 public healthcare institutions in Ghana were reviewed. A survey on cost and availability of HCV-related testing and treatment was also performed. Crude and pooled estimates of HCV seroprevalence, frequency and median cost of available diagnostic tests and medicines were described. The crude HCV seroprevalence was 2.62% (95% CI 2.53-2.72) and the pooled estimate was 4.58% (95% CI 4.06-5.11) among 103,609 persons tested in laboratories. Age (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and male sex (OR 1.26 95% CI 1.08-1.48) were predictors of a positive anti-HCV RDT test. Northern administrative regions in Ghana had the highest HCV seroprevalence ranging from 8.3-14.4%. Among 55, 458 potential blood donors, crude HCV seroprevalence was 3.57% (95% CI 3.42-3.72). Testing was through Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits in most facilities, and only 2 of 17 centres were performing HCV RNA testing. The median cost of an anti-HCV RDT test was $0.97 (0-1.61) and $3.23 (1.61-7.58) for persons with and without government health insurance respectively. The median cost of a 12-week course of the pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral therapy sofosbuvir-daclatasvir was $887.70. In conclusion, there are significant regional differences in HCV burden across Ghana. Limited access to and cost of HCV RNA and DAA therapy hinders testing and treatment capability, and consequently HCV elimination efforts. A national HCV program supported with a sustainable financing plan is required to accelerate HCV elimination in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Ayerki Nartey
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Rafiq Okine
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Accra, Ghana
| | - Atsu Seake-Kwawu
- National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Georgia Ghartey
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yaw Karikari Asamoah
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ampem Darko Jnr Siaw
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Kafui Senya
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Accra, Ghana
| | - Amoako Duah
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alex Owusu-Ofori
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Opei Adarkwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Komfo-Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Seth Agyeman
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sally Afua Bampoh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lindsey Hiebert
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, United States of America
| | - Henry Njuguna
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, United States of America
| | - Neil Gupta
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, United States of America
| | - John W. Ward
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, United States of America
| | - Lewis Rowland Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Ansumana Sandy Bockarie
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Yaw Asante Awuku
- Department of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast Ghana
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Eksin E, Erdem A. Recent Progress on Optical Biosensors Developed for Nucleic Acid Detection Related to Infectious Viral Diseases. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:mi14020295. [PMID: 36837995 PMCID: PMC9966969 DOI: 10.3390/mi14020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Optical biosensors have many advantages over traditional analytical methods. They enable the identification of several biological and chemical compounds directly, instantly, and without the need of labels. Their benefits include excellent specificity, sensitivity, compact size, and low cost. In this review, the main focus is placed on the nucleic acid-based optical biosensor technologies, including colorimetric, fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Evanescent-Wave Optical, Fiber optic and bioluminescent optical fibre. The fundamentals of each type of biosensor are briefly explained, and particular emphasis has been placed on the achievements which have been gained in the last decade on the field of diagnosis of infectious viral diseases. Concluding remarks concerning the perspectives of further developments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Eksin
- Biomedical Device Technology Program, Vocational School of Health Services, Izmir Democracy University, 35290 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Arzum Erdem
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
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Shenge JA, Osiowy C. Rapid Diagnostics for Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2021.742722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The global health challenge posed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) persists, especially in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where underdiagnosis of these viral infections remains a barrier to the elimination target of 2030. HBV and HCV infections are responsible for most liver-related mortality worldwide. Infected individuals are often unaware of their condition and as a result, continue to transmit these viruses. Although conventional diagnostic tests exist, in LMIC they are largely inaccessible due to high costs or a lack of trained personnel, resulting in poor linkage to care and increased infections. Timely and accurate diagnosis is needed to achieve elimination of hepatitis B and C by the year 2030 as set out by the World Health Organization Global Health Sector Strategy. In this review rapid diagnostic tests allowing for quick and cost-effective screening and diagnosis of HBV and HCV, are discussed, as are their features, including suitability, reliability, and applicability in LMIC, particularly those within Africa.
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