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Point of Care Diagnostic Testing for Hepatitis B Virus

  • Hepatitis B (JK Lim, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

As we strive to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, point of care tests (POCTs) will be important in low- to middle-income and developed countries. This review aims to investigate available POCT choices for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to provide an algorithm for screening, assessing, and monitoring chronic HBV.

Recent Findings

There are 3 WHO pre-qualified rapid diagnostic assays for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that are sensitive, specific, and reliable in screening for HBV: SD Bioline, Determine 2, and VIKIA. POCTs for other biomarkers are less reliable and sensitive but have some applicability. The Xpert® HBV Viral Load assay is sensitive and specific with a wide dynamic range.

Summary

While POCT for HBeAg and HBV antibodies require improvement, HBsAg POCT and the Xpert® HBV Viral Load assay are reliable and available now.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ros Edwards and Xin Li who evaluated point of care testing at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory. We thank Professor Stephen Locarnini for his review of the content and Kelly Schrank, MA, ELS, of Bookworm Editing Services LLC for her editorial services in preparing the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Kathy Jackson

  2. Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA

    Robert G. Gish

  3. Robert G. Gish Consultants, LLC, 6022 La Jolla Mesa Drive, San Diego, CA, 92037, USA

    Robert G. Gish

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Correspondence to Robert G. Gish.

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Kathy Jackson declares no conflicts of Interest. Dr. Robert G Gish has performed as a consultant to Abbott and Genlantis.

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Jackson, K., Gish, R.G. Point of Care Diagnostic Testing for Hepatitis B Virus. Curr Hepatology Rep 19, 245–253 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-020-00531-z

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