What Is Needed to Move Toward Single-Step Diagnosis of Current HCV Infection?

Abstract

Despite remarkable therapeutic advances, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to be a major global problem. While the development of highly effective direct-acting antivirals has ensured that almost all those who are treated achieve viral cure, progress toward HCV elimination globally has stalled due to challenges upstream of treatment in the cascade of care, namely diagnosis and linkage to care. The major challenge continues to be the relative complexity of HCV diagnosis with the current requirement for a confirmatory HCV RNA test after an initial antibody-positive result. In this review, challenges with the current paradigm are highlighted with a focus on new technologies, as well as simple strategies using existing tools, which may simplify diagnosis and improve linkage to care and treatment. To achieve HCV elimination, improvements in the HCV diagnostics field to allow for a simple single-step diagnosis are required.