A simple, direct molecular hybridization test was employed to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in human serum. HBV DNA was determined in 221 serum samples by the method, and the results were compared to that obtained with radioimmunoassay for serological HBV markers.
From total 206 HBsAg positive cases, serum HBV DNA was detected in 144 (69.9%). HBV DNA shown in 91 of 117(77.7%) HBeAg positive cases and 31 from 52(59.6%) anti-HBe positive sera. HBV DNA positives found from 37 HBsAg positive, but negative of both HBeAg and anti-HBe. Among 15 HBsAg negative cases, serum HBV DNA was detected in 7.
Among 144 HBV DNA positive cases, HBeAg positive serum showed higher serum levels of HBV DNA, but relatively lower in anti-HBe positives.
These results indicate that molecular hybridization method not only provides sensitivity and direct means to detect hepatitis B virus in serum, but also adds up in clarification of HBV with a set of battery tests of other available methods.
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