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New Fingerstick Test Beats Lab Delays for Hep B
5 Feb
Summary
- Fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA shows accuracy similar to lab tests.
- Point-of-care test delivers results within an hour in local clinics.
- This innovation overcomes delays and travel challenges of traditional testing.
A world-first Australian trial has demonstrated that a simple fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA is as accurate as standard laboratory testing. This point-of-care innovation, published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, can provide results within an hour and be performed in decentralized clinics. The fingerstick test is expected to overcome the delays and travel challenges inherent in laboratory-based testing.
Professor Gail Matthews of the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales led the research, highlighting the test's high accuracy and its potential to expand global access to testing and treatment. Hepatitis B affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide, causing over one million deaths annually. Current diagnostic and monitoring methods require venous blood samples sent to central labs, often involving long patient waits and multiple clinic visits.
