Accuracy of Rapid Serological Test versus Reference Standard Test for Hepatitis C Virus among Blood Donors

Zayed, Nada Ibrahim; Abd-Elmoaty, Samia; Abdelraoof, Samar

doi:10.21608/mnj.2023.320389

Accuracy of Rapid Serological Test versus Reference Standard Test for Hepatitis C Virus among Blood Donors

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ community health nursing department , faculty of nursing, and mansoura university

² Assistant Professor Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

³ Professor Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

10.21608/mnj.2023.320389

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is blood born pathogen with high incidence in Egypt. Early detection of HCV is an important
step in preventing spread of infection. Serological detection of HCV infection in blood donor before donation process
aims to decrease number of collected blood bag infected with the virus, decrease risk of transmitted infection to health
care workers through wrong medical practices, and decrease reliance on blood donor’s honesty of his/her HCV infection
status. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare accuracy of rapid serological test versus reference standard test for
HCV among blood donors. Through a diagnostic study on a convenient sample of 130 blood donors, by screened
capillary finger stick blood using rapid serological test (Intec test [Advanced Quality™ test]). Results revealed that
sensitivity and specificity of the rapid serological test were 50.00% and 97.66%, respectively, and its diagnostic
accuracy was 96.92%. Concluded that rapid serological test has high percentage of diagnostic accuracy, but not as
reference standard test; accordingly, cannot rely on it as a diagnostic test to HCV among blood donors. The researchers
have recommended replicating the study on larger scale, and on different blood components to estimate effectiveness of
the rapid serological test.

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