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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2014; 20(42): 15476-15491
Published online Nov 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i42.15476
Published online Nov 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i42.15476
Diagnostic tests for hepatitis C: Recent trends in electrochemical immunosensor and genosensor analysis
Carolina V Uliana, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, CP 676, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil
Carla S Riccardi, Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP 14800-900, Brazil
Hideko Yamanaka, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP 14800-900, Brazil
Author contributions: Uliana CV, Riccardi CS and Yamanaka H contributed to study design, literature search, manuscript writing and the final revision of this review paper.
Supported by Brazilian funding agencies (São Paulo Research Foundation-FAPESP and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq)
Correspondence to: Carla S Riccardi, PhD, Postdoctorate Researcher, Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Professor Francisco Street 55, Araraquara, SP 14800-900, Brazil. cariccardi@yahoo.com
Telephone: +55-16-33019780 Fax: +55-16-33222208
Received: November 7, 2013
Revised: February 19, 2014
Accepted: June 13, 2014
Published online: November 14, 2014
Revised: February 19, 2014
Accepted: June 13, 2014
Published online: November 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The global market for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment will reach $20 billion annually by the end of the decade. Therefore, a considerable interest in developing simple and reliable methods for detecting and quantifying HCV is required. Conventional HCV diagnostic tests include virus isolation, immunofluorescence microscopy, enzyme immunoassays and polymerase chain reaction techniques are becoming obsolete for routine clinical practices. In this issue, the current knowledge on the alternative diagnostic devices for HCV detection is updated, addressing all the topics with a practical point of view to make this “Topic Highlight” interesting and useful to most clinicians.