Labcorp Launches Hepatitis D Reflex Test for Earlier Detection
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Key Takeaways
- Labcorp has introduced a novel diagnostic assay for Hepatitis D virus (HDV), employing a reflex testing methodology. This approach automatically initiates HDV testing upon a positive Hepatitis B virus (HBV) result from the same patient sample, eliminating the need for a separate laboratory order.
- Hepatitis D is exclusively an opportunistic infection that requires the presence of Hepatitis B virus for replication and pathogenesis, making HBV-infected individuals the sole at-risk population for HDV.
- Co-infection with HBV and HDV is associated with accelerated liver fibrosis, increased risk of cirrhosis, and a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to HBV monoinfection, underscoring HDV's designation as the most severe form of viral hepatitis.
- The underdiagnosis of HDV is attributed to the fact that standard HBV screening assays do not routinely include detection of the delta antigen or HDV RNA, necessitating specialized testing.
- The implementation of reflex testing for HDV aims to enhance early detection rates in HBV-positive patients, potentially leading to earlier therapeutic interventions and mitigating the progression of severe liver disease.
Labcorp has launched a new diagnostic test for hepatitis D. The test uses a reflex testing approach to find more patients with the most severe form of the virus. The company says the test addresses a gap in hepatitis D monitoring. The goal is to identify patients earlier in the course of the disease.
Hepatitis D is a viral infection that only occurs in people already infected with hepatitis B. Co-infection with both viruses often leads to faster liver damage and more severe outcomes. Hepatitis D is considered the most severe form of viral hepatitis. The condition is frequently underdiagnosed because standard hepatitis B tests do not routinely screen for the delta virus.
The new Labcorp test performs automatic reflex testing. When a sample tests positive for hepatitis B, the test can immediately check for hepatitis D without requiring a separate order. This workflow is designed to increase detection rates in at-risk populations.
Why this matters in the life sciences: Improved diagnostic tools for hepatitis D could change how clinicians manage patients with chronic hepatitis B. Better surveillance may lead to earlier treatment and help reduce the burden of advanced liver disease. The test also highlights the growing role of reflex testing in clinical laboratories to streamline detection of co-infections.
Source: Labcorp launches new hepatitis D test to find patients with most severe form of virus