[Preparation and selection of monoclonal antibodies for detecting hepatitis B surface antigen in blood sera]

HV monoclonal antibodies (MAb) were produced in order to improve the quality of HBsAg detection and their specific characteristics were compared with those of other MAbs. MAbs were characterized by asymmetric interactions with the antigen when used as first or second antibodies. The reactivity of a panel of HV and X MAb to ad and ay subtypes was studied by enzyme immunoassay. Mutual blocking (epitope mapping) of MAb helped select antibody couples for the creation of highly effective test system for the diagnosis of the major HBsAg subtypes. The sensitivity and specificity of MAbs were evaluated on reference and control panels of HBsAg sera and on serum specimens from a random sampling of 300 blood donors. The sensitivity of the most specific MAb pairs was 0.1 ng/ml for HBsAg subtype ay and 0.25 ng/ml for subtype ad. The specificity of attested MAb was 98.5% in incubation with stirring and 97% in static incubation. The optimal combinations of attested MAbs were used in the manufacture of Recomnathep B test system in the sandwich format.