Demonstration of HBs antigen with the hepanostika test, an enzyme immunoassay (author's transl)

Abstract

Sensitivity, specificity and practicability of the Hepanostika test, a newly developed enzyme immunoassay by organon Teknika for the demonstration of HBs-antigen, was compared with results of the Aursria II 125 test. Smallest demonstrable concentration of the antigen in the Hepanostika test eas 3.125 ng/ml with antigens of subgroup ad and 2.08 ng/ml in those of subgroup ay, while it was 1.04 ng/ml for both subgroups with the Austria test. Among 2930 blood donors 85 antigen carriers were discovered by both tests, while with the Hepanostison test, a passive haemagglutination test from Oranon, only nine were discovered. In serial blood samples of patients with various disease there was only a slight difference between the two tests. The Hepanostika test had 1.6--3.88% nonspecific reactions, compared with 0.5-0.8% with the Ausria II 125 test. Both tests thus gave much more specific results than passive haemagglutination. The Hepanostika test is thus a satisfactory alternative to the Ausria test. Because of its high sensitivity it can be recommended for the diagnosis of HBs antigen among blood donors and in clinical laboratories.