title: [Which place for point-of-care screening tests in the diagnosis of hepatitis C infection among drug users?].
abstract: Hepatitis C is a severe disease, which often evolves into chronicity and for which there is no vaccine available. Therefore its screening is essential, especially among drug users who are the main reservoir of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Current guidelines for screening are based on the detection of total anti-HCV antibodies (Ab) by means of third generation EIA. This test is performed in a laboratory from a venous sample. Alternative methods have been recently developed, including point-of-care tests (POCT) that offer many advantages. Their excellent diagnostic performance, their quick results and their ease of use by a large number of professionals are arguments in favor of widespread use of these tests. The expected benefits of the use of POCT are individual (better knowledge of HCV status, better access to care and treatment) but also collective (reduction of morbidity and mortality related to HCV and its cost in terms of public health) Because of their clinical interest, POCT should be refunded as well as the currently recommended screening test. In order to optimize their ease of use, POCT use should be integrated into an organized screening and hepatology follow-up system.
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, maison des Addictions, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Noémie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, service d'hépato-gastro-entérologie, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barraud
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, maison des Addictions, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gillet
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, maison des Addictions, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Patrizio
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, service d'hépato-gastro-entérologie, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bronowicki
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, maison des Addictions, 54000 Nancy, France; CHRU de Nancy, centre d'investigation clinique Pierre-Drouin, CIC-Inserm 9501, 54000 Nancy, France; Centre psychothérapique de Nancy, 54000 Nancy, France; Université Lorraine, Ingres, EA 7298, 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Raymund
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwan
authors.affiliation: CHRU de Nancy, maison des Addictions, 54000 Nancy, France; CHRU de Nancy, centre d'investigation clinique Pierre-Drouin, CIC-Inserm 9501, 54000 Nancy, France; Centre psychothérapique de Nancy, 54000 Nancy, France; Université Lorraine, Ingres, EA 7298, 54000 Nancy, France. Electronic address: v.laprevote@chu-nancy.fr.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laprévote
mesh_terms: D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*