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Hepatitis B virus DNA detection and comparison with hepatitis B surface antigen
S Kaneko1, R H Miller, A Di Bisceglie
1Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Gastroenterologia Japonica
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is more sensitive than HBsAg detection. This advanced PCR method identifies complete HBV virions earlier and longer than traditional HBsAg tests.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a traditional marker for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers a potentially more sensitive method for detecting HBV, measuring complete virions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the relationship between HBsAg detection and HBV DNA levels using PCR.
- To evaluate a modified, simpler, and faster PCR technique for HBV DNA detection.
Main Methods:
- A modified PCR technique was used to test HBV DNA in serial sera from experimentally infected chimpanzees and human patient samples.
- Comparison of HBV DNA detection by PCR against HBsAg antigenemia and antibody presence.
Main Results:
- In chimpanzees, HBV DNA was detected 2-3 weeks before HBsAg appearance and persisted for 2 weeks after anti-HBsAg production.
- In chronic hepatitis B patients who lost HBsAg, 3 of 11 remained positive for HBV DNA.
- Patients recovered from acute HBV infection were negative for HBV DNA.
Conclusions:
- HBV DNA detection via PCR is a more sensitive method for identifying complete HBV virions compared to HBsAg detection.
- The modified PCR technique is simple, rapid, and highly sensitive for HBV DNA detection.