scholarly journals Improved Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen by a New Rapid Automated Assay

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 2639-2647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Weber ◽  
Anja Bayer ◽  
Peter Kirch ◽  
Volker Schlüter ◽  
Dietmar Schlieper ◽  
...  

The performance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) screening assays is continuously improved in order to reduce the residual risk of transfusion-associated hepatitis B. In a multicenter study, a new automated rapid screening assay, Elecsys HBsAg (Roche Diagnostics), was compared to well-established tests (Auszyme Monoclonal [overnight incubation] version B and IMx HBsAg [Abbott]). Included in the evaluation were 23 seroconversion panels; sera from the acute and chronic phases of infection; dilution series of various HBsAg standards, HBV subtypes, and S gene mutants; and isolated anti-HBV core antigen-positive samples. To challenge the specificity of the new assay, sera from HBsAg-negative blood donors, pregnant women, and dialysis and hospitalized patients and potentially cross-reactive samples were investigated. Elecsys HBsAg showed a higher sensitivity for HBsAg subtypes ad, ay, adw2, adw4, ayw1, ayw2, ayw4, and adr detection in dilution series of different standards or sera than Auszyme Monoclonal version B and/or IMx HBsAg. Acute hepatitis B was detected in 11 to 16 of 23 seroconversion panels between 2 and 16 days earlier with Elecsys HBsAg than with the alternative assays. Elecsys HBsAg and Auszyme Monoclonal version B detected HBsAg surface mutants with equal sensitivity. The sensitivity and specificity of Elecsys HBsAg were 100%. Auszyme Monoclonal version B had a 99.9% specificity, and its sensitivity was 96.6%. IMx HBsAg showed a poorer sensitivity and specificity than the other assays. In conclusion, Elecsys HBsAg permits earlier detection of acute hepatitis B and different HBV subtypes than the alternative assays. By using highly sensitive HBsAg screening assays, low-level HBsAg carriers among isolated anti-HBV core antigen-positive individuals can be detected.

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (48) ◽  
pp. E11369-E11378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaochun Chen ◽  
Giacomo Diaz ◽  
Teresa Pollicino ◽  
Huaying Zhao ◽  
Ronald E. Engle ◽  
...  

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated acute liver failure (ALF) is a dramatic clinical syndrome leading to death or liver transplantation in 80% of cases. Due to the extremely rapid clinical course, the difficulties in obtaining liver specimens, and the lack of an animal model, the pathogenesis of ALF remains largely unknown. Here, we performed a comprehensive genetic and functional characterization of the virus and the host in liver tissue from HBV-associated ALF and compared the results with those of classic acute hepatitis B in chimpanzees. In contrast with acute hepatitis B, HBV strains detected in ALF livers displayed highly mutated HBV core antigen (HBcAg), associated with increased HBcAg expression ex vivo, which was independent of viral replication levels. Combined gene and miRNA expression profiling revealed a dominant B cell disease signature, with extensive intrahepatic production of IgM and IgG in germline configuration exclusively targeting HBcAg with subnanomolar affinities, and complement deposition. Thus, HBV ALF appears to be an anomalous T cell-independent, HBV core-driven B cell disease, which results from the rare and unfortunate encounter between a host with an unusual B cell response and an infecting virus with a highly mutated core antigen.


1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1443-1447
Author(s):  
M Cabrerizo ◽  
J Bartolomé ◽  
P De Sequera ◽  
C Caramelo ◽  
V Carreño

Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, as well as dialysis staff members, are at high risk of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We have analyzed by PCR the presence of HBV DNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 33 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative hemodialysis patients and 24 dialysis unit staff members; eight of the 24 staff members had an acute hepatitis B resolved 13 to 21 yr before. HBV DNA was detected in serum of 19 (58%) patients (12 of 17 with and 7 of 16 without anti-HBV antibodies). HBV DNA was found in PBMC of 18 (54%) patients (13 of 17 with and 5 of 16 without anti-HBV antibodies). In the staff members, serum HBV DNA was found only in the individuals who suffered a previous acute hepatitis (P < 0.005). HBV DNA was detected in PBMC of four of six staff members (all with previous acute hepatitis). In two HBV DNA-positive PBMC samples, viral RNA was detected by reverse transcription-PCR. To ascertain whether the HBV DNA detected in serum was encapsulated, seven HBV DNA-positive serum samples were digested with DNase before PCR. After treatment, HBV DNA remained detectable in four cases. In conclusion, HBV DNA in serum and PBMC is detectable in a high proportion of HBsAg-negative hemodialysis patients and may persist several years after a resolved acute hepatitis B. The viral DNA is encapsulated and remains transcriptionally active in PBMC. In the anti-HBs-negative patients, HBV DNA is, at the present time, the only means for diagnosing a past HBV hepatitis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 213 (12) ◽  
pp. 1897-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Aragri ◽  
Claudia Alteri ◽  
Arianna Battisti ◽  
Domenico Di Carlo ◽  
Carmine Minichini ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyadh Ali Mohammed ◽  
Wisam Ghadban ◽  
Osama Mohammed

During the course of acute viral hepatitis, some functional and anatomical changes to the gallbladder can occur. Acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) is a rare complication of acute hepatitis B virus infection; only few cases are reported as ACC associated with acute hepatitis B virus infection. ACC cases are self-limiting, while other limited cases can progress to a gangrenous state, perforation, and even death. We present a 27-year-old female case diagnosed to have acute acalculous cholecystitis and associated with acute hepatitis B virus infection, and she recovered within one week of her presentation without complication or surgical intervention.


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