title: DNA: DNA hybridization method for the diagnosis of hepatitis B infection.
abstract: Hepatitis B viral (HBV) DNA was detected in a hepatoma cell line which produces hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and in patients with acute hepatitis B. The serum of one patient with acute hepatitis B was found to be infectious when injected i.v. into a chimpanzee up to a dilution of 10(-8). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were detectable in the same serum sample by radioimmunoassay up to a dilution of 10(-5) and of 10(-3), respectively. Using DNA: DNA hybridization on nitrocellulose membranes, HBV DNA sequences were detectable up to 10(-8) dilution corresponding to the infectivity level. Based on this finding, it appears that DNA: DNA hybridization is the most sensitive method for detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In situations with low virus levels it may be the only indicator of the presence of infectious hepatitis B virus. The use of a tritium-labelled probe makes the method economical and adaptable to hospital laboratories.
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014316:Tritium