Detecting hepatitis B surface antigen mutants.
Hepatitis B viral mutants can emerge in patients as a result of selection pressure from either immune response or treatment options. Mutations that occur within the immunodominant epitopes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) allow mutant virus to propagate in the presence of a neutralizing immune response, while wild-type virus is reduced to undetectable levels. HBsAg mutants present as false-negative results in some immunoassays. An understanding of immunoassay reactivity with HBsAg mutants is key to establishing an appropriate testing algorithm for hepatitis B virus detection programs.
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6015, USA. paul.coleman@abbott.com
Paul F
PF
Coleman
D002648:Child; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic