False-positive results with third-generation monoclonal hepatitis B surface antigen enzyme immunoassay

Nonspecific hepatitis B surface antigen reactions with a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (Auszyme Monoclonal; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) were investigated with 9,577 serum specimens in a clinical laboratory setting. Of the 196 serum specimens found reactive in Auszyme screen by the overnight procedure, 103 turned out to be true-positives, 71 were nonrepeatably reactive, and 22 were repeatably reactive but actually falsely …