Subtype analysis of the hepatitis B surface antigen using monoclonal antibodies

A series of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced against the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and their specificity tested against 2 separate panels of known HBsAg subtypes. Using an enzymeimmunoassay, mAbs that specifically bind to the 'a', 'd' and 'w' epitopes were identified. There were also a number of mAbs that expressed binding patterns that do not correspond to the standard serological classification--which is not unusual since the mAbs were of murine origin. These mAbs are at present being used to replace the conventional goat or guinea-pig derived HBsAg subtyping antisera which are available in limited quantities and often vary in titer.