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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
at -20° |
Ref. Range
Conventional
International Recommended Units |
Negative
(Limits of detection: -3 x 10 (4) genome eqivalents/mL) |
Chemical Interfaces
In Vivo Effects |
None Found
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| 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.
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