SENSITIVE ASSAYS FOR HEPATITIS-A ANTIBODIES

Two commercial assay kits for detecting antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) have been modified in order to increase their sensitivity. These modifications are made by less dilution of the test serum, in th e case of Abbott HAVAB-M assay, or by an increase in the volumetric ra tio of the test serum to the labeled anti-HAV in the case of the Abbot t HAVAB assay. These modifications result in 5- to 20-fold increases i n test sensitivity and enable the detection of anti-HAV at 2-3 weeks f ollowing vaccination. The earlier detection of anti-HAV is important t o vaccine development in assuring the presence of antibody levels in t ravelers sooner after vaccination. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.