부산대학교 도서관

HCV‐RNA assessment during therapy with Direct‐Acting Antiviral (DAA) regimens still relies on assays requiring blood collection and transport to a specialised laboratory, which may compromise linkage to care. GeneXpert‐HCV Viral Load (GXHVL) (Cepheid) is a plasma‐based assay used at point of care (POC) with a sensitivity of ≤10 IU/mL, and, results available within 2 hours. Fifty‐nine consecutive HCV‐patients ready for DAAs treatment were enrolled. HCV‐RNA was simultaneously tested using Roche TaqMan RT‐PCR (venous blood sample) and GXHVL (capillary blood collected by fingerstick), at baseline (BL), week 4 (W4) of therapy, end of therapy (EOT) and week 12 of follow‐up (W12FU). Both assays demonstrated undetectable HCV‐RNA in all patients at EOT and identified the single case of HCV‐relapse at W12FU. GXHVL used as a point‐of‐care assay in the outpatient setting provides results fully comparable to the laboratory‐based test. Its excellent performance and ease of use suggest its adoption in non‐specialist settings where simplicity of care is paramount to implement HCV eradication campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]