Abstract
BackgroundBiotin has been reported to be a leading cause of interference on several immunoassay platforms using the streptavidin-biotin immobilization system. While biotin interferences have now been well characterized for several assays, only few data are available on their impact on serological markers of infectious viral diseases. MethodsOverall, 10 healthy volunteers (HVs) received a single 100 mg dose of biotin to evaluate its effect on hepatitis B serological markers. Blood samples were taken several times before and after biotin intake. In addition, spiking experiments were applied to investigate biotin’s impact on anti-HIV/p24 Ag and anti-HCV antibody levels. Several procedures designed to overcome this interference were evaluated. ResultsBiotin intake resulted in a false-negative anti-HBs immunological status (<10 mIU/mL) in 40.0% of cases. According to our anti-HBc and anti-HBe results, biotin intake was associated with 90.0% and 80.0% of false positive results, respectively. At the theoretical biotin peak concentration following a 100 mg intake, 50.0% and 66.6% of anti-HIV and anti-HCV results were false negatives, respectively. All the procedures evaluated to overcome the interference were proven effective. ConclusionHBV, HCV, and HIV serological markers are likely to be highly sensitive to biotin. Our data confirm that the scope of biotin interference is broader than commonly described.
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