On July 28, 2026, the world observes World Hepatitis Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and accelerating action against viral hepatitis. This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” calls for removing the barriers that limit access to hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

With less than five years remaining to achieve the WHO goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, expanding access to timely and accurate testing has never been more critical.

The Silent Threat: The Global Burden of Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis refers to liver inflammation caused by hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D (HDV), and E (HEV).

Among these viruses, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C remain major causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, often progressing silently for years before symptoms appear.

According to WHO estimates, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are living with chronic HBV or HCV infection, while a significant proportion remain undiagnosed. Viral hepatitis continues to cause more than one million deaths annually, mainly due to complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Despite the availability of effective prevention and treatment strategies, gaps in diagnosis and care remain major challenges. Many people living with chronic hepatitis are unaware of their infection and therefore miss opportunities for timely intervention.

Testing: The First Step Toward Hepatitis Elimination

To achieve the 2030 elimination targets — including a 90% reduction in new hepatitis infections and a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths — expanding testing coverage is essential.

WHO emphasizes that improving access to timely diagnosis and people-centered care can prevent millions of deaths. However, limited availability of reliable testing remains one of the key barriers preventing infected individuals from receiving appropriate treatment and follow-up.

As a provider of innovative in vitro diagnostic solutions, Macro & Micro-Test is committed to supporting global hepatitis elimination efforts through a comprehensive testing portfolio covering:

• · Rapid screening for large-scale detection 
• · Nucleic acid testing for early and accurate diagnosis 
• · Viral load monitoring for treatment management 
• · Genotyping for personalized clinical decision-making 

By supporting different testing scenarios, Macro & Micro-Test helps expand access to reliable hepatitis diagnostics worldwide.

Macro & Micro-Test Hepatitis Testing Portfolio

1. Rapid Screening: Bringing Hepatitis Testing Closer to Communities

Colloidal Gold Rapid Test Kits provide a simple, fast, and instrument-free solution, delivering results within minutes. These tests are suitable for:

• · Large-scale screening programs
• · Primary healthcare settings
• · Community-based testing
• · Resource-limited environments 

• Cat. No.	Product Name	Sample Type	Performance
  HWTS-HP011	HBsAg Rapid Detection Kit (Colloidal Gold)	Serum, plasma, whole blood	Sensitivity: 99.53%; Specificity: 99.67%; OPA: 99.63%
  HWTS-HP017	HBsAg and HCV Ab Combined Rapid Test Kit (Colloidal Gold)	Serum, plasma, whole blood	HBsAg: Sens. 99.7%, Spec. 99.8%, OPA 99.8%; HCV Ab: Sens. 99.7%, Spec. 99.6%, OPA 99.7%
  HWTS-HP013	HCV Ab Test Kit (Colloidal Gold)	Whole blood, serum, plasma	Sensitivity: 99.39%; Specificity: 99.81%; OPA: 99.71%

• Among these solutions, HWTS-HP017 enables simultaneous detection of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in a single test, improving screening efficiency and supporting integrated hepatitis testing strategies.
  

  2. Nucleic Acid Testing: Detecting Infection with Precision

  Fluorescence PCR-based nucleic acid testing provides high sensitivity and specificity with shorter detection windows, enabling earlier identification of viral infections and supporting clinical decision-making.

• Cat. No.	Product Name	Sample Type	Performance
  HWTS-HP005A	Hepatitis A Virus Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum/stool	LoD: 500 copies/mL
  HWTS-HP001	Hepatitis B Virus Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum	LoD: 50 IU/mL
  HWTS-HP003	Hepatitis C Virus RNA Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Plasma/serum	50 IU/mL ~ 2×10⁹ IU/mL
  HWTS-HP006A	Hepatitis E Virus Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum/stool	LoD: 500 copies/mL

• 3. Viral Load Quantification & Genotyping: Supporting Precision Management

  For individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C, viral load monitoring and genotyping play important roles in disease management and treatment evaluation.

   

  Cat. No.	Product Name	Sample Type	Performance
  HWTS-HP015	Hepatitis B Virus DNA Quantitative Fluorescence Diagnostic Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum/plasma	Quantification range: 20 IU/mL ~ 2×10⁹ IU/mL
  HWTS-HP002	Hepatitis B Virus Genotyping Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum/plasma	LoD: 1×10² IU/mL
  HWTS-HP004	HCV Genotyping Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)	Serum/plasma	LoD: 200 IU/mL

• HBV consists of multiple genotypes (A–I), which may influence viral characteristics and clinical management. HWTS-HP002 and HWTS-HP004 provide genotyping information to support more informed treatment strategies, while HWTS-HP015 delivers a broad quantification range to monitor viral dynamics throughout the treatment journey.

  Empowering a Hepatitis-Free Future Through Precision Diagnostics

  Viral hepatitis is preventable, manageable, and — in the case of hepatitis C — curable.

  • · Hepatitis B can be effectively prevented through vaccination and controlled through appropriate antiviral management.
  • · Hepatitis C can be cured with direct-acting antiviral therapies, achieving cure rates above 95%.

  However, the first step is always the same: identify infections early through reliable testing.

From rapid screening to molecular detection, from qualitative diagnosis to viral load monitoring and genotyping, Macro & Micro-Test provides a comprehensive hepatitis testing portfolio covering hepatitis A, B, C, and E — helping break down barriers to diagnosis and supporting global efforts toward hepatitis elimination.

On World Hepatitis Day 2026, let us work together to “break it down” — breaking down barriers, expanding access, and accelerating progress toward a hepatitis-free future.