A Point-of-Care Model for Hepatitis C Elimination in Remote Islands of Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: Timely and efficient diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the effective approach for the subsequent care cascade of HCV treatment. It is of importance in under-resourced areas. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a point-of-care (POC) model by a rapid diagnostic test and subsequent confirmational HCV RNA test in remote islands where traffic is an additional hurdle for health care. We conducted a mass POC screening program in 3 outlying islands, including Liuqiu (6.8 km², 12,000 residents), Green (15.1 km², 4280 residents), and Orchid (48.4 km², 5230 residents) islands. We used immunochromatography-based finger-tip assays for HCV antibody detection. Serum HCV RNA was measured among patients seropositive for the rapid anti-HCV test.

SUBMITTER: Lin TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12520535 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature