Chemiluminescent Sandwich Immunoassay Detects HBV Surface Antigen

A chemiluminescent, one-step, sandwich immunoassay has been developed for the qualitative detection of the surface antigen (Ag) of the hepatitis B virus.

HBV diagnosis and management is based on monitoring the level of alanine amino-transferase, HBV antigens, HBV antibodies, serum HBV DNA, and liver biopsy. The recent appearance of mutations in the HBV genome has made it necessary for labs to choose assays that combine the precision of automation with enhanced analytical sensitivity and specificity to achieve optimal test accuracy.

Hepatitis is an umbrella term used to describe an inflammation of the liver. The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted via infected blood and other bodily fluids and is one of the most common disease-producing microorganisms in the world. Unlike most viruses, which seem fragile, HBV can survive outside of the human body for up to seven days. Improved screening and HBV vaccination programs have contributed to an overall decrease in HBV prevalence

Beckman Coulter, Inc., (Nyon, Switzerland) announced the release of its new generation of Hepatitis B (HB) assays, Access HBs Ag and Access HBs Ag Confirmatory. These assays enhance the immunoassay menu for the Access and UniCel DxI immunoassay systems. Access HBs Ag fulfils laboratory requirements by offering a highly sensitive and automated random-access assay for the screening of HBV infection.

A panel of 15 recombinant proteins representing major mutations on amino acid sequences of the HBs antigen was tested using the new assay. All recombinant panel samples were detected in the Access HBs Ag assay and confirmed positive with the Access HBs Ag Confirmatory assay.

Beckman Coulter's Access family of immunoassay analyzers features a menu of approximately 50 assays, and includes the Access 2 Immunoassay System, the new UniCel DxI 600 Access Immunoassay System and the UniCel DxI 800 Access Immunoassay System, which perform up to 100, 200 and 400 tests per hour, respectively.


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