Early detection of hepatitis B surface antigen and detection of HBsAg mutants: a comparison of five assays

Background and Objectives Assays for the detection of hepatitis B surface a ntigen (HBsAg) face two challenges: the emergence of sensitive techniques f or detection of hepatitis B virus DNA and the existence of HBsAg mutant hep atitis B viruses. We studied the sensitivity of five modern assays for dete ction of HBsAg. Materials and Methods The sensitivity of two mini robot-based assays - IMx HBsAg V2 and Vidas HBsAg - and three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (EL ISAs) with microtitre plate format - Hepanostika Uni-Form II v1.2, Monolisa Ag HBs Plus and HBsAg Test System 3 - was compared testing 11 HBsAg seroco nversion series, serial dilutions prepared from three HBsAg standards and n ine HBsAg mutant samples. Results and Conclusion Overall, the IMx HBsAg V2 assay showed the highest s ensitivity. It outperformed the Vidas HBsAg in analytical sensitivity and i n detection of HBsAg mutants. Among the microtitre plate ELISAs, the Monoli sa Ag HBs Plus outperformed the HBsAg Test System 3 in detection of HBsAg m utants and it surpassed the Hepanostika Uni-Form II v1.2 in analytical sens itivity.