Breaking Update: Here’s a clear explanation of the latest developments related to Breaking News:New Fingerstick Test Detects HBV in One Hour– What Just Happened and why it matters right now.
A NEW point-of-care fingerstick test detects hepatitis B virus (HBV) within one hour, a 2026 diagnostic study has found.
The accuracy and reliability of the Xpert HBV Viral Load test, using fingerstick capillary blood samples, matched less accessible and more expensive and time-consuming routine tests.
HBV
The WHO aims to eliminate HBV as a public health threat by 2030. It aims to diagnose 90% of people living with chronic HBV and 80% of those eligible for antiviral therapy on treatment.
In 2022, of an estimated near 260 million people living with chronic HBV infection, only 14% had been diagnosed and 8% of those eligible were receiving treatment.
HBV DNA testing remains sub-optimal in most countries and the WHO has recognised it as a major gap in the HBV care pathway.
Standard-of-care HBV DNA testing requires referral for blood collection, preparation of plasma, centralised laboratories, and is a multi-visit process, prolonging the delivery of potential treatment.
Measuring Viral Load
A total of 246 participants with chronic HBV infection were enrolled from six hospitals.
The new test was able to identify 97% of patients with HBV DNA level higher than 100 international units (IU) per mL of blood. It correctly identified 90.3% of those without HBV DNA levels more than 100 IU/mL.
The device also correctly identified 95.3% of patients with HBV DNA levels above 2,000 IU/mL and distinguished 95% of those without the high HBV concentration.
The test uses reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-based target detection to provide a measure of HBV viral load within 60 minutes.
HBV Genotypes
Due to a lack of data, the Xpert test could not be assessed across HBV genotypes. The number of participants with very high viral loads was also small, limiting analysis at top HBV DNA levels, however this has limited clinical significance. Reproducibility of the point-of-care test was not evaluated.
A Dedicated Xpert HBV DNA Test
Researchers emphasised the excellent performance of the point-of-care Xpert HBV DNA test from fingerstick capillary samples. They encouraged the development of a dedicated Xpert HBV DNA fingerstick test for decentralised care.
Such a model could greatly benefit people living with HBV in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources, those living in remote areas, and those in hard-to-reach populations, including prenatal care for women with HBV.
Reference
Hajarizadeh B et al. Evaluation of fingerstick blood point-of-care testing of hepatitis B DNA for enhanced hepatitis B treatment decision making: a diagnostic accuracy study. Clin Microbiol. 2026;62(2):DOI:10.1128/jcm.01405-25.