Hepatitis B DNA General Clinical Tests
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| Test Name
Method |
Hepatitis B DNA (HBV DNA)
Slot bar or liquid hybridization |
| Specimen
Requirements |
Serum
Freeze if test can not be run immediately. Stable for at least 7 d |
| Ref. Range
Conventional International Recommended Units |
Negative
(Limits of detection: -3 x 10 (4) genome eqivalents/mL) |
| Chemical Interfaces
In Vivo Effects |
None Found |
| Diagnostic Information | The presence of HBV-DNA in serum confirms active Hepatitis B infection and implies infectivity of serum. Current use of the assay is for confirming Hepatitis B infection in immunosuppressed patients with confusing serological markers and in assessing responses of Hepatitis B to therapy, such as intron –a. |
| Remarks | Hepatitis B DNA and RNA can also be detected in tissues using molecular biological techniques, but these tests are generally available. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for detecting and subtyping Hepatitis B variants may become commercially available within the next few years. |
References:
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, third edition.
