Hepatitis B is a double stranded DNA virus, and is spread by contact with contaminated body fluids, such as through shared needles in drug users or unprotected sex. Infection may cause liver inflammation, with symptoms including loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the liver and jaundice.

Hepatitis C is a small, enveloped, single stranded, positive sense RNA virus. It is spread by contact with contaminated body fluids, such as through shared needles in drug users or unprotected sex. There is no vaccination to prevent hepatitis C. Currently the best control measures are avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids, and treatment of positive cases.

A limitation of the current approach to hepatitis B and C management is the identification of infected individuals, with only an estimated 68% of chronically infected hepatitis B citizens aware of their infection status in Australia (Hepatitis Australia Statistics). Additionally, an estimated 22% of chronically infected hepatitis B individuals are engaged in care, and 39% of hepatitis C infected individuals received treatment.

Dried blood spots are a minimally invasive technique, that requires minimal expertise to perform and have long holding times (suitable for remote testing), making it an ideal method for sample collection in this project. They also allow for more reliable/successful sampling on patients with damaged veins, where whole blood collection may be difficult.

The aim of this project is to run a pilot study of dried blood spot (DBS) screening, based out of pharmacies, where the pharmacist has the capacity to offer this testing to at risk individuals. Pharmacists are in a good position to screen people, as many participate in the needle and syringe programs (NSPs), and have access to a individuals that may not seek medical attention elsewhere.

This project is in partnership with Hepatitis WA, who will action any positive results (performing a full blood tube collection that will be verified by a secondary laboratory) and provide the follow-up care.