Open forum infectious diseases
Feasibility, Accuracy, and Acceptability of Self-Collected Dried Blood Spots for Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and SARS-CoV-2 Testing
Par Tran SS, Vanderhoff A, Saunthar A et 13 autres.
Contenu en anglais
Résumé
Background
Screening, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C and hepatitis B can be limited due to challenges in accessing in-person health care. This study explored the alternative method of dried blood spot (DBS) collection, specifically through mail-based self-collection.
Methods
A total of 388 patients were recruited by phone from the Toronto Centre for Liver Disease and the Toronto Western Family Health Team, who were seropositive for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus, and/or SARS-CoV-2 or had unknown serostatus. Participants were mailed a collection kit, paper instructions/QR code for video instructions, demographic/acceptability questionnaires, a return envelope, and laboratory requisition. DBS cards and phlebotomy were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, HCV antibody, and SARS-CoV-2 antibody. DBS results were compared against conventional phlebotomy as the gold standard.