US EditionNorthwestern scientists develop fastest ever test for hepatitis C
The new PCR test delivers results 75% faster than current methods with 100% validation agreement by Johns Hopkins, enabling same-day hepatitis C treatment initiation.
- On Dec. 10, Northwestern researchers unveiled a point-of-care DASH PCR platform test that delivers hepatitis C results in 15 minutes, described in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
- Diagnosing hepatitis C typically starts with a two-step process involving an antibody test, then PCR samples sent to central laboratories causing delays and requiring patients to return.
- The team adapted the DASH PCR platform for whole blood and sent analyzers and cartridges to Johns Hopkins University, which tested 97 clinical specimens.
- Same-Day results could allow clinicians at point of care to diagnose and start treatment during visits, potentially saving millions from liver complications despite low treatment rates for hepatitis C.
- The diagnostic's speed advantage is notable because it provides results up to 75% faster than current rapid tests, while an existing FDA‑approved point-of-care HCV test takes 40 to 60 minutes; global HCV burden affects 50 million people, causing over 240,000 deaths annually.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Researchers have developed the world's fastest hepatitis C test, which provides results in 15 minutes, a method that could give new impetus to curbing the virus.
This 15 minute hepatitis C test could change everything
Northwestern scientists have created the fastest-ever hepatitis C diagnostic, delivering accurate results in only 15 minutes. The test uses the DASH rapid PCR system, originally developed for COVID, but adapted for whole blood samples. Independent testing showed 100% agreement with existing commercial platforms. Its speed could transform how quickly patients begin treatment.
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Northwestern scientists develop fastest ever test for hepatitis C
The test takes just 15 minutes, 75 percent faster than current rapid test for the disease.
15-Minute Hepatitis C Test Could Unlock Same-Day Treatment
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new test for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections that can return results 75% faster than rapid HCV tests available today. In a study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, the new 15-minute test showed 100% agreement with the results of commercial platforms currently in use to diagnose hepatitis C. “We were able to develop a diagnostic test that can be performed at…
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