Comparison of enhanced chemiluminescence and microparticle enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of hepatitis B surface antibody

Comparison of High-Throughput Fully Automated Immunoanalyzers for Detecting Hepatitis B Virus Infection

CONTEXT.—

High-throughput automated immunoanalyzers for hepatitis B virus serologic markers have been introduced but have not been compared to existing systems.

OBJECTIVE.—

To compare hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody analyses between our Architect i2000 platform and newer high-throughput fully automated immunoanalyzers.

DESIGN.—

From May to June 2018, a total of 932, 914, and 1055 samples tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody, respectively, with the Architect i2000 system for routine testing in our center were tested again with Alinity i, Atellica IM, and Cobas e801 systems.

RESULTS.—

Total concordance rates among the systems were 98.0%, 89.5%, and 93.0% for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and total hepatitis B core antibody, respectively. Cohen's κ values exceeded 0.8. The correlations between serum hepatitis B surface antibody levels quantified by all 4 systems were high (r > 0.85). The hepatitis B surface antibody averages were greater for the Alinity i, Atellica IM, and Cobas e801 than for the Architect i2000 (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS.—

Alinity i, Atellica IM, and Cobas e801 automated immunoanalyzers performed well when compared with the existing Architect i2000 system with regard to detection of hepatitis B viral infection. However, the new systems have higher titer and positivity rates for hepatitis B surface antibody and are more sensitive. Notably, the Atellica IM has a lower positive rate for total hepatitis B core antibody than does the Architect i2000.

Distribution Characteristics of Hepatitis B Serological Markers in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents in Zhejiang, China between 2006 and 2010

Background/Aims

To investigate serological patterns of hepatitis B based on electrochemiluminescent immunoassays and the distribution characteristics of these patterns in hospitalized children and adolescents in Zhejiang, China between 2006 and 2010.

Methods

Five serological markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe), and antibody to hepatitis B c antigen (anti-HBc), were chosen as a routine panel to monitor hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and vaccination efficacy. A total of 33,187 children (21,187 boys and 12,000 girls) were selected using the following exclusion criteria: a previous diagnosis of hepatitis, age >16 years or an address outside of Zhejiang.

Results

The average HBV vaccination coverage rates among 20,766 boys and 11,782 girls were 98.62% and 98.68%, respectively. Seventeen serological patterns of hepatitis B were found, and the dominant pattern was 'anti-HBs (+) alone' (62.03%) followed by 'negative pattern' (23.46%). The rates of the other 15 patterns ranged from 8.14% to 0.003%. Of 236 HBsAg-positive patients, the overall rate of seropositivity was 0.71%. The anti-HBs levels were grouped into 3 ranges (10-100 mIU/mL, 100-1,000 mIU/mL, and >1,000 mIU/mL) for all anti-HBs-positive children (36.08%, 43.43%, and 20.49%, respectively).

Conclusions

A low HBsAg carrier rate and a relatively high anti-HBs positive rate are present in hospitalized children and adolescents in Zhejiang. The distribution of serological patterns is associated with age but is mostly independent of gender.

Comparison of the ADVIA Centaur and Abbott AxSYM immunoassay systems for a routine diagnostic virology laboratory

BACKGROUND

Routine diagnostic laboratories are confronted with an ever-increasing workload with limited resources. Automation has provided some solutions to these challenges particularly high through put analysers such as the Abbott AxSYM.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two automated immunoassay systems in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Samples previously tested using the Abbott AxSYM were tested with a recently introduced immunoassay analyser, the Bayer ADVIA Centaur, for six virology analytes: HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV1/O/2.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a retrospective analysis of stored serum samples previously tested on the Abbott AxSYM. Samples giving discrepant results were tested by other alternative immunoassays and re-tested on the Abbott AxSYM in the same freeze-thaw cycle.

RESULTS

Although the sensitivities of the two automated immunoassays were similar there was improved specificity demonstrated for anti-HIV and anti-HCV when using the ADVIA Centaur assays. The low background signals allowed resolution of samples previously shown to have indeterminate results for anti-HIV antibody in the AxSYM assay. In addition, samples shown to have Abbott AxSYM anti-HCV results that could not be confirmed by RIBA and HCV molecular methods were shown to be negative by the ADVIA Centaur assay.

Anti-HBs levels in infants of hepatitis B carrier mothers after delayed active immunization with recombinant vaccine concomitant with DTP-polio vaccine: is there need for a second dose of HBIg? Dutch Study Group on Prevention of Neonatal Hepatitis B

The need for an additional dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) was studied by comparing infants receiving 1 ml HBIg at birth followed by hepatitis B immunization, concomitant with DTP-polio vaccine, at 3, 4, 5 and 11 months (schedule E), with infants receiving the same schedule with additional HBIg at 3 months (schedule F). The immune response to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (20 micrograms) was evaluated in 195 infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers allocated to groups E and F and compared with historic controls who received plasma vaccine (10 micrograms) according to schedule F. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12 and 24 months of age. No difference in efficacy between the two schedules was observed; 8 and 6% of infants born to HBeAg-positive HBsAg carrier mothers in groups E and F, respectively, became HBsAg carriers. Passively acquired antibodies at birth remained present for about 5 months in most infants. The seroprotection rates (anti-HBs > or = 10 IU l-1) were over 90% at all time points and similar for groups E and F. The titres of anti-HBs attained during the first 6 months were statistically lower (p < or = 0.02) for group E than for group F but similar thereafter. Anti-HBs titres in infants receiving the recombinant vaccine were significantly lower than in infants receiving the plasma vaccine (p << 0.001). Supplemental doses of HBIg in infants receiving a high dose of HBIg ( > 200 IU) at birth and the first dose of vaccine at the age of 3 months are not advised.