title: Subtype analysis of the hepatitis B surface antigen using monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: A series of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced against the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and their specificity tested against 2 separate panels of known HBsAg subtypes. Using an enzymeimmunoassay, mAbs that specifically bind to the 'a', 'd' and 'w' epitopes were identified. There were also a number of mAbs that expressed binding patterns that do not correspond to the standard serological classification--which is not unusual since the mAbs were of murine origin. These mAbs are at present being used to replace the conventional goat or guinea-pig derived HBsAg subtyping antisera which are available in limited quantities and often vary in titer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, WHO Collaborating Center for Immunology.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens