Point of Care Tests for Infectious Diseases: Review of Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines

Question

1. What is the diagnostic accuracy of point of care tests (POCT) for HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, and Streptococcal infections compared with conventional testing in a laboratory?
2. What is the clinical effectiveness of patient self-testing or pharmacist testing with POCT for HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, or Streptococcal infections compared with conventional testing in a laboratory?
3. What is the cost-effectiveness of patient self-testing or pharmacist testing with POCT for HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, or Streptococcal infections compared with conventional testing in a laboratory?
4. What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding patient self-testing or pharmacist testing with POCT for HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, or Streptococcal infections?

Key Message

Meta-analyses found that POC tests provide a reliable diagnostic strategy for hepatitis C virus or group A streptococcal pharyngitis infections, but performance may vary among different POC tests. Findings from one trial showed that POC testing can be a useful tool for diagnosis or triage (high specificity) for influenza A and B infection, but its low sensitivity suggests a negative POC tests needs confirmation using PCR assay. The costs for POC tests for hepatitis C infection or laboratory-based tests are similar. There was no evidence found on the clinical effectiveness of patient self-testing or pharmacist testing with POCT for HIV, hepatitis C, influenza, or Streptococcal infections compared with conventional testing in a laboratory. No evidence-based guidelines for their use were identified.