ABSTRACT
The development of serological assays to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
has played a major role in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. With
other hepatitis B serological assays, a diagnosis of acute or chronic HBV infection,
past infection, or successful vaccination can be determined. However, serological
profiles can at times be atypical or ambiguous. Some of these difficulties may be
overcome by HBV DNA testing, which may elucidate an individual's true hepatitis B
status. In addition, quantification of HBV DNA provides a means of monitoring the
effectiveness of antiviral therapy and detecting the early development of antiviral
drug resistance. Molecular diagnostics are also being applied to HBV-infected liver
tissue. The use of molecular techniques to quantify intrahepatic HBV DNA and other
key HBV replicative intermediates may provide additional options for monitoring and
predicting treatment efficacy, but such assays require further validation before they
can be used routinely.
KEYWORDS
Hepatitis B serology - hepatitis B virus DNA - HBV DNA amplification assays
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Scott BowdenPh.D.
Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
10 Wreckyn Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051, Australia
