Development of a Lateral Flow Assay for the Detection of the Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health challenge, with millions of people affected annually. Current diagnostic methods, reliant on antibody screening and viral RNA detection, are complex, costly, and often inaccessible, particularly in resource-limited settings. Aim: Development of a lateral flow immunochromatography-based assay for detecting the highly conserved hepatitis C core antigen (HCVcAg). Methods: The assay relies on the interaction of four highly specific and cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies with recombinant HCVcAg from five different genotypes in a double antibody sandwich format. Latex and colloidal gold were evaluated as detector nanoparticles. Results: Extensive evaluation of 32 antibody combinations led to identifying the most sensitive antibody pairs. The chosen assay, named LN17, demonstrated a target sensitivity of 10 ng/strip, with potential clinical implications for detecting HCV. Furthermore, the study examined matrix effects in serum samples, providing valuable insights for future clinical application. Conclusions: The developed assay holds promise as a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly tool to enhance accessibility to hepatitis C screening, especially in high-risk populations and resource-limited environments.