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- Title
Maximizing Reflexive Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Testing of HCV Antibody-Reactive Samples Within United States Public Health Laboratories.
- Authors
Johnson, Lauren N; Gaynor, Anne M; Wroblewski, Kelly; Buss, Sarah N
- Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can have serious consequences when untreated and diagnosis is the first step in any treatment regimen. In the Unites States a 2-step algorithm consisting of HCV antibody screening and HCV RNA testing of HCV antibody-reactive specimens is recommended for detection of current HCV infection. We conducted a survey of HCV diagnostic practices in US public health laboratories and convened a meeting of HCV subject matter experts to identify opportunities for improvement in HCV diagnosis. Automatic reflexive HCV RNA testing of HCV antibody-reactive specimens was identified as a gap in laboratory practice. Only 54% of respondent laboratories always automatically reflexed or referred an anti-HCV-reactive specimen to an HCV RNA test. To facilitate diagnosis and ensure patients are not lost to follow-up, laboratories should ensure that the entire HCV testing algorithm can be completed with a sample(s) collected during a single patient visit.
- Subjects
UNITED States; HEPATITIS C virus; RNA; PUBLIC health; MEDICAL screening; LABORATORIES
- Publication
Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2024, Vol 229, pS357
- ISSN
0022-1899
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/infdis/jiad191