Characterization of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen monoclonal antibodies

17 monoclonal antibodies generated against purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), subtype ayw, were characterized by solid-phase radioimmunoassays. Eleven of these antibodies had specificity against the group-specific alpha determinant of HBsAg, two demonstrated antibody activity against the w HBsAg subtype, one against human serum albumin, and three against human IgG. All monoclonal antibodies were of the IgG class.