SYDNEY, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- A world-first Australian trial has found that a simple fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA is as accurate as standard lab testing, paving the way for wider access in remote and resource-limited settings.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, the study showed that the point-of-care test can deliver results within an hour and be performed in decentralized clinics, overcoming delays caused by laboratory-based testing, according to a statement from the Kirby Institute at Australia's University of New South Wales on Thursday.
"The results of our trial found that the fingerstick point-of-care test is highly accurate, closely matching the accuracy of traditional tests," said Professor Gail Matthews who led the research at the Kirby Institute.
The finding has the potential to "expand access to testing and treatment globally," especially where access to testing is limited, Matthews said.
Hepatitis B, a viral infection that attacks the liver, affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide and causes over 1 million deaths annually, statistics showed.
Though preventable by vaccine, only about 8 percent of those living with chronic hepatitis B receive treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The new test could support global efforts to meet the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030, the statement said. ■
