New Therapies for Treating Hepatitis C Virus: Impact on Laboratory Testing Recommendations and Clinical Management

Hepatitis C virus or HCV infection affects close to 150 million people worldwide.  In the U.S., it is estimated that as many as five million people have been infected with the Hepatitis C virus, many of whom are unaware of their infection.  HCV is now the most common indication for liver transplantation, and it accounts for more deaths each year than all other reportable infectious diseases combined including HIV. Advances in testing methods and antiviral therapies with increased development of infrastructures that improve access care now make eradication of HCV infection in well-resourced countries a realistic goal.  However, challenges in implementing screening programs and continues evolution of assay methods and screening protocols raise several issues for how clinicians and laboratories respond to the changing landscape for HCV diagnosis and treatment.  The December 2017 issue of Clinical Chemistry includes a Q&A article with several experts who offer their insights and opinions on this topic.