摘要
According to the World Health Organization,an estimated 58 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus(HCV),yet only about 20%have been formally diagnosed.Traditional laboratory–based antibody and RNA assays require infrastructure and trained personnel,limiting their uptake in resource-limited and hard-to-reach settings.The OraQuick HCV self-test(HCVST)is the first World Health Organization-prequalified HCVST,which delivers results in 20-40 min via an easy-to-use gum-swab format.Field evaluations report a sensitivity of about 97%–98%and a specificity of about 99%–100%that are comparable with those of blood-based lateral-flow assays(e.g.,Alere Truline,SD Bioline).Usability studies demonstrated an acceptability rate of over 90%and a correct self-test completion rate of over 85%in key populations.HCVST with the Ora-Quick HCVST kit provides a practical,evidence-based approach to closing diagnostic gaps,particularly among underserved or stigmatized populations.To maximize the public health impact,programs should integrate self-testing into national screening algorithms,ensure linkage to RNA confirmation and treatment,and consider economic and operational contexts.
