Résumé
Background: A simple, rapid and non- invasive electromagnetic sensor [C-FAST device] was investigated for diagnosis and follow up of HCV patients
Objectives: To test the validity of the C-FAST device compared to the conventional methods used for detection of anti-HCV by ELISA and standard HCV PCR as well follow up newly diagnosed HCV patients receiving HCV treatment
Methodology: This study was carried out on 200 patients suffering from HCV infection and 100 control cases [270 were males, and 30 were females] with their ages ranged from 25-75 years old during the period from May 2014 to May 2015. The patients were diagnosed as HCV positive by clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic methods. The included patients were selected from the Endoscopy Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit in Kobri El Kobba Military Hospital from Outpatient Clinics. The subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 included 100 suspected HCV patients [Acute - chronic]. Group 2 included 100 control subjects 50 healthy group and 50 cases positive for hepatitis B virus], group 3: included 100 HCV patients receiving HCV treatment [combination therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin]
Results: When comparing PCR technique with, C-FAST device for diagnosis of new HCV cases and follow up of treatment, the results using receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curve; showed diagnosis of HCV by using C-FAST. Out of those diagnosed by PCR, the sensitivity findings in the different study phases were from 97.4% to 100% [98.7%] of patients with HCV had a positive C-FAST and the specificity from 95.6% to 97.6% [96.6%] of patients with HCV had a negative C-FAST. The efficacy of the C-FAST device was in the range from 96.3% to 98.2% along the study phases
Conclusion: It is a practical evidence that HCV nucleotides emit electromagnetic signals that can be used for its identification. As compared to PCR, C-FAST it is rapid, valid and non-invasive device