Immunoassay for the quantitative determination of antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
Hepatitis B is a potentially life threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.1 The disease is not always self limiting: In adults approx. 5 % of acute infections will follow a chronic course of varying degrees of severity; infants will develop chronic hepatitis B in up to 95 % of the cases.1
Approximately 300 million people are estimated to be living with HBV Infection. In 2019, hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 820 000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).1 Anti-HBs is an antibody that is directed against the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).2,3 Anti-HBs can be detected several weeks after the disappearance HBsAg.4,5
Anti-HBs can be formed following a hepatitis B infection or after hepatitis B vaccination.4,5 Antibodies are formed against the HBsAg immunodeterminant “a” determinant region, which is common to all subtypes, and against subtype-specific determinants.2,6,7
Anti-HBs tests are used within the scope of hepatitis B vaccination to check the necessity and success of vaccination.3,5,8 In addition, Anti-HBs tests are used to monitor the course of disease following acute hepatitis B infection.4
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