Performance evaluation of three rapid screening assays for detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in Cameroon

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the performance of three CE-marked rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): Multisure-HCV, First Response® and Toyo®; for screening anti- HCV antibody using plasma samples. Results: Overall, 200 plasma samples were used. Sensibility and specificity of these RDTs range from 71 to 99 and 78 to 100% respectively. Multisure scored a sensitivity at 99% (95% CI 97-100%) and First Response reached a specificity at 90% (95% CI 85-94.9%). Further studies should be conducted to establish an algorithm using these RTDs for the detection of HCV infection in Cameroon.