Standard hepatitis C (HCV) diagnostic tests are complex and therefore their availability is often limited to specialized laboratories. With the introduction of direct-acting antivirals, the diagnostic algorithm is simplified and treatment can now be initiated immediately after a positive molecular test.

Decentralized molecular diagnostics will make HCV screening widely available and will quickly identify patients who may benefit from

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The Genedrive® HCV kit has been designed for use in decentralized and low-resource settings. The test was developed as a confirmatory diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C and uses a small volume of plasma.

Le kit Genedrive® HCV received CE IVD approval in September 2017 and is a qualitative molecular test.

Several evaluations have shown that the test has a good sensitivity and specificity, however, the IRESSEF considers it important to evaluate the performance of the test on Senegalese samples before recommending it to the Senegalese health system.

This is why IRESSEF, in collaboration with Genedrive Diagnostics Ltd., organized a training course on the Genedrive® HCV kit for IRESSEF researchers. Dr. Laura Kemp, IVD Trial Manager at Genedrive Diagnostics Ltd., Manchester, United Kingdom, provided a two-day training course for twenty biologists from the Institute. Following this training, the IRESSEF is now in the position to carry out the evaluation of the Genedrive® HCV kit in a Senegalese context.