HCV RNA Fingerstick Assay as Useful Point of Care of Diagnostic Tool for Drug Users in Brussels

Using the Cepheid GeneXpert HCV VL Fingerstick Test as a Diagnostic Tool for Chronic Hepatitis C Among Drug Users in Brussels

The main objective of this study is to assess the interest (linkage to care) of the Cepheid GeneXpert HCV VL Fingerstick test in Brussels among drug users or former users in contact with the Réseau Hépatite C Bruxelles organization through different partners of this network.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (ex) drug users
• a risk of Hepatitis C infection
• French speaking
• Either patient with a positive serology for HCV who have never performed HCV RNA by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by a peripheral venous sampling (due to difficult venous access, financial problem, medical insurance problem or other reasons) either patient with a suspicion of reinfection for whom the HCV RNA PCR by peripheral venous sampling is not reimbursed by health insurance

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <18 years
• Cepheid GeneXpert HCV VL Fingerstick will not use to assess the Sustained Virological Response (SVR) at 12 weeks after the end of an antiviral treatment