Detection of HBV-DNA using a digoxigenin-labelled probe. A rapid technique without loss of sensitivity.

The sensitivity of four different non-radiolabelled HBV-DNA probes (digoxigenin-, biotin-, acetylaminoflorene-, chemiprobe-labelled) in detecting HBV-DNA were compared with a 32P-labelled HBV-DNA probe using a spot hybridisation assay. Of the non-radiolabelled probes, the probe using digoxigenin labelling was the most sensitive with reliable and reproducible detection to between 1-3 pg HBV-DNA. The use of digoxigenin-labelled HBV-DNA hybridisation assay deserves wider application for the detection of HBV-DNA because of a number of advantages including ease, speed, safety and cost.