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Comparison of Accuracy of ELISA Technique and RAPID Screening Techniques for the Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)

Bhuvan Nagpal, Jyoti Kumari, Jyotsana Mehta

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a worlwide public health problem and the primary marker for screening and diagnosis of HBV infection is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). RAPID screening kits are the most frequently used for screening of HBsAg, although the method is less reliable than Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The present study was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ELISA technique and RAPID screening techniques for the diagnosis of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg).A total of 400 samples were tested for HBsAg using both RAPID and ELISA technique. Out of 400 samples, ELISA test showed positive results for 4 samples (10%) while negative results for 396 samples (90%). Out of 400 samples, RAPID test showed negative results for 400 samples (100%). Sensitivity of ELISA test and RAPID test was found to be 100 % and 0 %, respectively with 100 % specificity for both the methods. The obtained results highlight towards higher accuracy of ELISA technique than more popular RAPID screening kits used widely in developing nations. Therefore, there is a need to develop more sensitive, accurate and safe methods for screening of HBsAg by combining RAPID tests with ELISA method along with other Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) strategies.