Hepatitis C virus antigens enzyme immunoassay for one-step diagnosis of hepatitis C virus coinfection in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals

Fabrication and development of a microfluidic paper-based immunosorbent assay platform (μPISA) for colorimetric detection of hepatitis C

Paper-based microfluidics is an emerging analysis tool used in various applications, especially in point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic applications, due to its advantages over other types of microfluidic devices in terms of simplicity in both production and operation, cost-effectiveness, rapid response time, low sample consumption, biocompatibility, and ease of disposal. Recently, various techniques have been developed and utilized for the fabrication of paper-based microfluidics, such as photolithography, micro-embossing, wax and PDMS printing, etc. In this study, we offer a fabrication methodology for a microfluidic paper-based immunosorbent assay (μPISA) platform and the detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) was carried out to validate this platform. A laser ablation technique was utilized to form hydrophobic barriers easily and rapidly, which was the major advantage of the developed fabrication methodology. The characterization of the μPISA platform was performed in terms of micro-channel properties using bright-field (BF) microscopy, and surface properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At the same time, sample volume and liquid handling capacity were analyzed quantitatively. Ablation speed (S) and laser power (P) were optimized, and it was shown that one combination (10P60S) provided minimal deviation in micro-channel dimensions and prevented deterioration of hydrophobic barriers. Also, the minimum hydrophobic barrier width, which prevents cross-barrier bleeding, was determined to be 255.92 ± 10.01 μm. Furthermore, colorimetric HCV NS3 detection was implemented to optimize and validate the μPISA platform. Here, HCV NS3 in both PBS and human blood plasma was successfully detected by the naked eye at concentrations as low as 1 ng mL^-1 and 10 ng mL^-1, respectively. Moreover, the limit of detection (LoD) values for HCV NS3 were acquired as 0.796 ng mL^-1 in PBS and 2.203 ng mL^-1 in human blood plasma with a turnaround time of 90 min. In comparison with conventional ELISA, highly sensitive and rapid HCV NS3 detection was accomplished colorimetrically on the developed μPISA platform.

Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis C in Mainland China

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in China. Rapid economic development has had an enormous impact on the epidemiology and treatment of hepatitis C. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in Mainland China is approximately 0.91%, and use of injected drugs has become the main route of HCV transmission in China. Reimbursement for 3 direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has been approved by the National Medical Insurance scheme in China, which ensures the accessibility of treatment for an HCV infection. To improve the awareness of treatments for hepatitis C among medical personnel and the rate of in-hospital screening for HCV, the Chinese Medical Association has formulated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C and a process of in-hospital screening for hepatitis C in China. These efforts have standardized the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of hepatitis C. Based on the international strategy for micro-elimination of hepatitis C, China has also screened and treated groups at risk of hepatitis C infection, and this has reduced the number of the infected. The current review describes the status of and issues with the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis C in Mainland China as part of the global effort to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

Meeting report of the editorial board meeting for World Journal of Hepatology 2021

The 2021 online editorial board meeting of the World Journal of Hepatology (WJH) was held on January 16, 2021. Xiang Li, Director of Production Office on behalf of the Baishideng Publishing Group, organized the meeting. Three Editors-in-Chiefs (EiCs) and 15 Baishideng Publishing Group staff attended the meeting. The meeting goal was to brief EiCs on journal performance and gather ideas for journal development in 2021. In 2020, WJH published 204 articles, a 20% increase compared to 2019, authors were from 32 countries and regions, and the average citation per article was three times. However, attracting high quality original article submissions remains a challenge. The EiCs provided feedback and suggestions centered on four topics: (1) Improve journal quality by building editorial; (2) Improve board engagement by establishing a clear policy and consistent internal communications; (3) Improve peer review quality and efficiency; and (4) Refine the current journal marketing strategy to increase visibility and discoverability.

Developments in the HCV Screening Technologies Based on the Detection of Antigens and Antibodies

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for 15%-20% of cases of acute infection, and chronic HCV infection is developed in about 50%-80% of HCV patients. Unfortunately, due to the lack of proper medical care, difficulty in screening for HCV infection, and lack of awareness resulted in chronic HCV infection in 71 million people on a global scale, and about 399,000 deaths in 2016. It is crucial to recognize that the effective use of antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of HCV infected people. The Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) aim is to reduce the new HCV infections and the HCV associated mortality by 90% and 65%, respectively. Therefore, the methods that are simple, yet powerful enough to detect HCV infections with high sensitivity, specificity, and a shorter window period are crucial to restrain the global burden of HCV healthcare. This article focuses on the technologies used for the detection of HCV in clinical specimens.