Hepatitis B (Surface) Antigen Testing by Radioimmunoassay: Experience in a Very Large Volunteer Donor Population

Abstract

The results of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) testing in a large volunteer blood donor population are described. Counterelectrophoresis and three versions of solid-phase radioimmunoassay technic are compared and evaluated. Initial results suggested that the radioimmunoassay technic are compared and evaluated. Initial results suggested that the radioimmunoassay technic detected more than five times as many reactive donors as did counterelectrophoresis. The specificity of the radioimmunoassay technic has been increased by successive modifications, and recent results show that the technic detects 73 percent more reactive donors than does counterelectrophoresis. Not all of these reactions are specific, and it is estimated that the true gain in detection of HBsAg carriers is 49 percent of the value found by counterelectroesis. The incidence of HBsAg carriers in the America Red Cross donor population is about 1.25 per 1,000.

Hepatitis-Associated Markers in the American Red Cross Volunteer Blood Donor Population

“…We have again observed variations in the prevalence or rate of HBsAg reactivity among blood donations from different divi sions of the country [7][8][9]. Such variations may reflect a geographic variation in the frequency of the HBsAg carrier state or in the frequency of transmission of HBV.…”

“…This is clearly lower than rates reported previously [7][8][9]. This is particu larly impressive in view of the increasing sensitivity and specificity of the test meth odologies used since 1971.…”

“…Upon the adoption of the more sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique, the detection rate rose to 1.25 specifically HBsAg-positive units/1,000 units tested [9], The early RIA methodologies gave unacceptable numbers of false posi tives, and since 1975, a highly sensitive and specific RIA has been in use throughout the ARC blood services regions.…”

Antibodies, antigens, and anticoagulants: a historical review of a lifetime in transfusion medicine—the Landsteiner Lecture 2004

“…We partnered with Mark Conrad, the director of hematology and blood transfusion in the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), and established it as the best method. Although the quantitative hemagglutination test was easier to perform, the new test was more sensitive 74‐76 . Chiron asked me to find donors in our system whose blood caused hepatitis although they had no history of hepatitis A and were also negative for hepatitis B with the new test.…”

“…Although the quantitative hemagglutination test was easier to perform, the new test was more sensitive. [74][75][76] Chiron asked me to find donors in our system whose blood caused hepatitis although they had no history of hepatitis A and were also negative for hepatitis B with the new test. We found six donors in the whole ARC program.…”