Enzyme immunoassay for hepatitis B and its comparison to other methods.

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of hepatitis B surface antigenemia is presented and the results compared to the counter-immunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoassay methods for detection of the same antigen. The enzyme-antibody conjugate was prepared from horseradish peroxidase coupled with antibodies to three sub-types of hepatitis B virus. Polystyrene plastic tubes were used as the solid-phase support. The results of the enzyme immunoassay compare favorably with radioimmunoassay and exceed counterimmunoelectrophoresis in sensitivity.