Researchers from the Carlos III Health Institute have revealed a new rapid diagnostic method against hepatitis C virusa step that scientists say could represent an important step towards eliminating the disease.
The method is based on diagnosis in the same place of treatmentwhere the patient is located, without the need to perform tests in the laboratory or move the person out of their environment, and the results of this work have been published in the journal Methods.
A quick and simple method
Thanks to this diagnostic method in the place where the patient is located, it is easier to reach people and groups who have difficulty going to health centers and diagnosis is allowed. faster and easier thanks to the use of less complex techniques than those normally available in a hospital or health center, reported the Carlos III Health Institute of the Ministry of Science.
The study it is signed by researchers from the Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis Research of the National Center of Microbiology (CNM-ISCIII) Sonia Arca de Lafuente and Verónica Briz, together with Ricardo Madrid, of the Complutense University of Madrid, of the Research Center of the Network of Infectious Diseases, from the Biomedical Research Center of the ISCIII network, and teams from the La Paz and La Princesa hospitals, in Madrid, and the Pablo Olavide University in Seville.
Although the prevalence levels of active infection of this virus in Spain are among the lowest in Europe, it is estimated that this still happens a significant number of individuals are unaware of this their infection status, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
Sampling by capillary puncture
Furthermore, worldwide there are approx one million new hepatitis C virus infections every year, with particular prevalence in developing countries, detailed the Carlos III Institute of Health.
With the aim of bringing diagnosis closer to difficult-to-access populations, researchers have proposed a “POC” (“point of care”) type design that allows diagnosis sampling by capillary puncture at the place of assistance; Capillary puncture is the collection of a blood sample obtained through a light puncture into the skin.
In a time less than 50 minutes from puncturediagnostic results are obtained by fluorescence, the ISCIII specified in a press release issued today.
Bring diagnosis closer to hard-to-reach populations
The validation of the study was carried out with a panel of 129 samples from individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus, together with healthy people (controls) and subjects affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), with the aim of determining the diagnostic parameters of the new system.
The parameters obtained meet the requirements established by the European Association for the Study of the Liver for systems Hepatitis C screeningwhich would allow its implementation as part of strategies to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem, the Institute assured.
The main authors of the research explained that this design allows this decentralize the diagnosis of infections acute due to the hepatitis C virus, bringing diagnosis closer to hard-to-reach populations and taking a further step forward in the race to eliminate hepatitis C as the World Health Organization’s goal for 2030.
How does rapid testing for hepatitis C impact public health outcomes?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Hepatitis C Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Sonia Arca de Lafuente from the Carlos III Health Institute, one of the leading researchers behind a groundbreaking new method for diagnosing hepatitis C. Dr. Arca de Lafuente, can you tell us a bit about this new diagnostic method?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: Thank you for having me! Our team has developed a rapid diagnostic method that allows for testing right at the location of the patient, whether that’s in a clinic, a community center, or even at home. This is a game-changer because it eliminates the need for patients to visit a laboratory and wait for results.
Editor: That sounds remarkable! What prompted you to create this method?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: Well, even though Spain has low prevalence levels of active hepatitis C infections compared to other European countries, there are still numerous individuals unaware of their infection status. Vulnerable populations often face barriers that prevent them from accessing standard healthcare. Our aim was to make diagnosis faster, easier, and more accessible for everyone, particularly those at risk.
Editor: Accessibility is definitely crucial. How does the technology function in practical terms?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: The method utilizes sampling through capillary puncture, which is less invasive and easier to conduct than traditional blood draws. By using less complex techniques, healthcare providers can perform tests on-site, ensuring quicker results and reducing the burden on patients.
Editor: It’s fascinating how these advancements can shift the dynamics of public health. You mentioned in your research that globally there are about one million new hepatitis C infections every year. How significant is this new method in tackling that problem?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: It’s very significant. By bringing diagnostics closer to those who need it, particularly in developing countries where these infections are more prevalent, we can increase detection rates dramatically. The quicker we can identify and treat individuals with hepatitis C, the closer we move towards eliminating the disease.
Editor: Absolutely. What are the next steps for your team after this publication in the journal Methods?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: Our next steps involve conducting field tests to implement this diagnostic method in various health settings. We want to gather more data on its effectiveness and efficiency in real-world scenarios, making adjustments as needed. Ultimately, we hope to partner with health organizations to deploy this method widely.
Editor: And how can individuals help spread awareness about this initiative?
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: Raising awareness about hepatitis C and the importance of testing is essential. Individuals can engage with community health programs, share information on social media, and encourage friends and family to get tested. The more we talk about it, the better we can combat the stigma and increase detection rates.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Arca de Lafuente, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that your work is paving the way for significant advancements in the fight against hepatitis C. We look forward to seeing how this evolves!
Dr. Arca de Lafuente: Thank you for having me, and for your interest in this critical issue!