Commercial 1251 anti-HBs was processed to yield a sixfold improvement in economy without significant loss of sensitivity or specificity. Additional polystyrene beads were coupled with commercially supplied anti-HBs. The modified assay (Mod-RlA) was compared with commercial RIA, EIA, and RPHA using established HBsAg panels. Mod-RIA was also compared with HEPATEST (RPHA) for screening 71 200 fresh blood donations during an 11 5-month period. Solid-phase sandwich radioimmunoassay (RIA), particularly that marketed by Abbott Laboratories under the name AUSRIA-IT, remains the most reliable screening test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) despite the current strong challenge by enzyme immunoassay (EIA).1"2.34 Unfortunately, the price per test of commercial RIA has proved prohibitive for many transfusion centres restricted to the cheaper and less sensitive reverse passive haemagglutination test (RPHA).5 With some types of assay it is possible to reduce costs by using home-made rather than commercial reagents.6 Many transfusion centres have neither the expertise nor the facilities to produce reagents that require specific protein purification with subsequent radiolabelling. In these circumstances the most that can be achieved in economic terms is a reduction in costs accruing from bulk purchase of commercial reagent. This communication presents evidence that the 1251-labelled anti-HBs in the AUSRIA-I1 RIA kit may be quickly, simply, and routinely processed and diluted to provide sufficient reagent for an average of six times as many assays without significant loss of sensitivity or specificity and without necessitating an increase in incubation time. Material and methods REAGENTS AND EQUIPMENT 1 6'5 mm diameter polystyrene beads (white and tinted) are obtainable from the Precision Plastic Ball Company, 3000 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60641, USA. In the UK these
Polystyrene beads coated with pasteurised polyethylene glycol-precipitated HBsAg were used to detect anti-HBs by a solid phase inhibition assay employing unreacted 125I-anti-HBs which had previously been "processed" by polyethylene glycol precipitation and used to test for the HBsAg. A weak anti-HBs (approximately 0.1 IU/ml) positive control was used to establish a target level of reactivity. 16,035 freshly donated units of blood, a 90-sample coded anti-HBs panel and a selection of hyperimmune globulins were investigated. All positive results were confirmed by a standard commercial assay. Antibody content of selected samples was quantitated in international units. A target level of anti-HBs activity is suggested for donor plasma to be fractionated for the production of hepatitis B immune globulin.
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