Sensitivity of seven commercial assays in the detection of hepatitis B virus type 2-like infection.

Two hundred serum samples taken from patients with hepatitis B virus type 2-like infections were tested with seven commercial enzyme immunoassay methods for detection of HBsAg. Positive results were obtained with all methods in some samples, the rate of detection of HBsAg ranging from 9% to 90% for the different methods. A direct correlation was found between the analytical sensitivity of a method and its ability to yield positive results. It is suggested that these findings should be taken into consideration when selecting HBsAg detection methods in blood banks in order to avoid transmission of the HBV2 agent to recipients of blood or blood products.