Serological diagnosis of acute hepatitis B infection

Abstract

The value of different serological assays of hepatitis B virus associated antigens and antibodies was tested in forty-eight consecutive cases of acute hepatitis negative for HB_sAg by agargel diffusion. The tests included radioimmunoassay of HB_sAg, IgM and IgG anti-HB_s and counter-immunoelectrophoresis for anti-HB_c detection. Twelve cases were identified as hepatitis B (25 %). Eleven cases were positive for HB_sAg by RIA, and only one case was detected by an increasing titre of antibodies alone. Further seventeen patients had an unchanged antibody titre to one or more antigens. It is concluded that a sensitive test for HB_sAg is the most important tool for diagnosing acute hepatitis B infection.

Key Words:

• agargel diffusion
• assay sensitivity
• diagnosis
• hepatitis B
• immuno-electrophoresis
• radioimmunoassay