Hepatitis C Whole Genome Sequencing from Dried Blood Spot Samples
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a Method for Whole Genome Sequencing of Hepatitis C Virus from Dried Blood Spot Samples using hybrid capture methodology
IRAS ID
335377
Contact name
Emma A Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood borne virus which causes chronic infection in around 70% of exposed people, increasing the risk of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with HCV worldwide. The World Health Organisation Hepatitis C elimination strategy aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030. To improve HCV diagnosis outreach services can collect small spots of blood onto a piece of card and send these to testing laboratories by post – these are known as dried blood spot samples (DBS). The use of DBS reduces the need for full blood samples to be collected in clinics by trained phlebotomists and increases the number of people who can be tested. Unfortunately, those diagnosed with HCV via DBS are required to attend a follow-up clinic appointment where a full blood sample can be taken and tested to show the type of HCV a person has. This tells doctors what type of treatment they will need and how long they will need it for. The testing of this blood sample takes several weeks and causes delays in treatment of more than 8 weeks. We aim to use the DBS to gain the same information as this blood test in just a few days. We aim to find a way to take the HCV genetic material from the DBS card and sequence it, giving us access to information about the patients specific virus and how it might respond to treatment. This means fewer blood tests for patients and that treatment can be started at their first appointment after their HCV diagnosis which also means fewer clinic visits. The information gained from the dried blood spot testing will also mean the most appropriate treatment can be started immediately reducing the risk of treatment failure.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
24/NI/0016
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion