Swiss healthcare company Roche has unveiled its new Elecsys HCV Duo immunoassay to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen and antibodies to HCV.
Elecsys HCV Duo is said to be the first commercially available immunoassay, which can simultaneously detect HCV antigen and antibody status from a single human plasma or serum sample.
The test can be used to identify an infection in its early stages as well as while a patient is recovering from the virus or exhibiting symptoms of a persistent infection that could eventually cause other illnesses.
It is intended to be used along with the other laboratory results and clinical information to aid in the diagnosis of and screening for HCV infection.
The test can also be used as a screening test in order to stop the transmission of HCV to recipients of blood, blood components, cells, tissue, and organs.
According to the firm, the test utilises the dual detection of HCV core antigen and antibodies to HCV.
It diagnoses active hepatitis C virus infection much sooner than with antibody-only assays because core antigen manifests early in the course of infection and is a symptom of ongoing viral replication.
This may result in early patient intervention, a decrease in the number of clinic visits required to collect additional test samples, and a reduction in the load of testing on healthcare systems.
Roche Diagnostics CEO Thomas Schinecker said: “With improved hepatitis screening, healthcare systems have the opportunity to eliminate the disease through improved prevention, testing and treatment services.
“The addition of the Elecsys HCV Duo assay to our HCV testing portfolio can help in the fight to eliminate the hepatitis C virus.
“The launch of this innovative dual antigen and antibody diagnostic test underlines our commitment to support clinicians and their patients in reducing the impact of infectious diseases, where it’s needed most.”
