Detection of anti-HBs in two groups of institutionalized people by solid-phase radioimmunoassay using human labelled...

A modification of Ausria II-125 solid-phase radio-immunoassay has been performed for the detection of anti-HGs in sera from 217 subjects living in two institutions. 129 subjects were mentally retarded and belonged to an institution; the other 88 were healthy people living in another institution, 74 of whom were residents and 14 members of the assistance staff. These 88 subjects were tested again three months later. Contemporaneously HBsAg was tested by Ausria II-125. Out of 129 mentally retarded subjects, 18 (13.9%) were positive for anti-HBs and 6 (4.6%1 for HBsAg. Out of 88 apparently healthy residents and members of the assistance staff, anti-HBs was detected in 24 (27.3%) and in 25 (28.4%), in the first and second bleeding, respectively; the distribution of anti-HBs carriers between residents and staff was quite similar. The screening of anti-HBs by rHA, performed in the same 88 subjects, showed a greater sensitivity than RIA modified in detecting anti-HBs carriers. Our findings outline the importance of the detection of anti-HBs as a marker of the virus B infection.