Improving HCV Screening in Addiction Care Centers with Plasma Separation Cards

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 50 million globally, with high prevalence in people who inject drugs.
• Healthcare access barriers hinder diagnosis and treatment for this population.
• Innovative diagnostic methods are crucial for improving HCV screening and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of cobas plasma separation cards (PSCs) for dry plasma collection in diagnosing HCV.
• To assess the impact of PSCs on HCV detection rates in outpatient drug addiction centers (CAS).
• To determine if PSCs can overcome barriers to venipuncture for HCV screening.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted in three Barcelona CASs from February to December 2021.
• 679 clients were screened for HCV using both venipuncture and PSC finger-prick blood samples.
• HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA were tested to determine active infection.

Main Results:

• Of 679 clients, 100 (14.7%) tested positive for HCV antibodies, with 24 (24%) having active HCV-RNA.
• Among 54 clients using PSCs, 79.6% had positive antibodies and 34.9% had detectable HCV RNA.
• PSCs identified 62.5% of active HCV infections, with a significantly higher detection rate compared to venipuncture.

Conclusions:

• Plasma separation cards (PSCs) are a valuable tool for HCV diagnosis in individuals unable or unwilling to undergo venipuncture.
• PSCs improve accessibility to HCV screening for people with substance use disorders.
• Implementing PSCs can enhance linkage to care and address healthcare barriers in high-risk populations.