Direct measurement of hepatitis B viral antibody and antigen markers in gingival crevicular fluid.

Radioimmunoassay analyses of serum are widely performed to monitor the incidence of hepatitis B virus infection. As an alternative to serum analyses, the authors have explored the feasibility of using gingival crevicular fluid for the detection and quantitation of hepatitis B viral immunologic markers. The results of the study demonstrate that the hepatitis B surface antigen can be easily quantified in gingival fluid. Confirmation of the presence of the hepatitis B e antigen can also be made, but this is more difficult because of the small amounts of gingival fluid currently being assayed. Antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen can be quantitated in high-titered persons.