title: Digoxigenin-labeled probes for the detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum.
abstract: A nonradioactive hybridization assay for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum with a digoxigenin-labeled probe is described. The probe was sensitive, being able to detect 0.25 pg of homologous HBV DNA, equivalent to 7 x 10(4) genome copies. After extraction of DNA from clinical samples, the probe detected HBV DNA in 11 of 12 hepatitis B e antigen-positive sera and did not react with 6 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative sera. This result was comparable to that obtained with a radiolabeled probe. When serum samples were treated by the alkaline denaturation method, some false-positive reactions were apparent with the digoxigenin-labeled probe, although their frequency could be reduced to around 8% by modifying the sample treatment with a centrifugation step. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of the digoxigenin-labeled probe indicate that it is a viable alternative to the radiolabeled probe for the detection of HBV DNA in serum. The lack of radioactive reagents in the digoxigenin labeling and detection system and its long shelf-life make this system suitable for routine use in laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bowden
mesh_terms: D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004076:Digoxigenin; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D004076:Digoxigenin