HBsAg ELISA kit description:

Diagnostic Automation/Cortez Diagnostics, Inc. offers an HBsAg ELISA kit, which is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the qualitative detection of HBsAg in human serum or plasma. The anti-HBsAg ELISA kit is for in-vitro diagnostic use only.

The HBsAg ELISA Kit is designed as an aid in screening blood donors, and as an aid in the diagnosis of clinical conditions related to hepatitis B-infected individuals. The Sensitivity of the HBsAg ELISA kit is 100% and the Specificity is 97.70%.

The HBsAg ELISA Test is designed to aid in diagnosing patients who have symptoms of hepatitis B virus infection and/or for blood donor screening. This HBsAg ELISA test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the qualitative identification of HBsAg in human serum/plasma. The HBsAg ELISA test kit is an effective method available for either screening blood donors or for the clinical diagnosis of hepatitis B-infected individuals.

The Hepatitis B infection is spread through infected blood or body secretions. The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known as one of the major causes of blood transmitted hepatitis infections. Blood screening using the HBsAg ELISA test is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of HBV. When using this test, it is important to classify hepatitis B infection through the three phases of the infection; incubation, acute, and convalescent. This can be done by identifying serological markers through each phase. Testing the serological markers of HBsAg can be an excellent method for the diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals. Symptoms of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can range from mild to severe, including chronic liver disease (cirrhosis and carcinoma). The Hepatitis B virus is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family. The outer envelope surface antigen of the Hepatitis B virus is HBsAg. It contains the determinant "a" and is identified in two subgroups (ay and ad). HBV has four HBsAg subtypes (adw, ady, ayw, and ayr) and has 10 major serotypes. HBsAg can be identified two to four weeks before the ALT levels are known to be abnormal, and three to five weeks before symptoms appear.

The HBsAg ELISA Test kit employs an antibody sandwich ELISA technique where monoclonal antibodies unique to HBsAg, are pre-coated on polystyrene microwell strips. The serum or plasma sample is added together with a second antibody, the HRP Conjugate(horseradish peroxidase), and directed against a different epitope of HBsAg. Throughout the time of incubation, specific immunocomplexes that may have formed (indicating presence of HBsAg) are captured on the solid phase. After washing the plate in order to eliminate serum proteins, and unbound HRP-conjugate, chromogen solutions containing tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and urea peroxide are added to the wells. Afterwards, the colorless chromogens are hydrolyzed by the bound HRP-conjugate and turn into a blue-colored product. Halting the reaction with sulfuric acid, the blue color then turns yellow. The color intensity can be gauged proportionally to the amount of antigen captured in the wells, and to the amount in the sample, respectively. An ELISA reader such as the DAR800 may be used to obtain the HBsAg ELISA kit readings. The wells remain colorless if the HBsAg result is negative. This HBsAg kit can also be effective in gaining research and analysis for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis.