Comparative evaluation of commercial enzyme immunoassay kits for detection of hepatitis B seromarkers

The commercial hepatitis B enzyme immunoassay kits of Abbott Laboratories and Organon Teknika were compared for their sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility in detecting the hepatitis B seromarkers hepatitis B surface and e antigens and antibodies to hepatitis B core, e, and surface antigens. With the exception of the Organon kit for antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, the specificity and reproducibility were about the same for both products, but the level of sensitivity was generally lower for the Organon kits; this, however, may not be critical in routine clinical application. The Organon kits have a longer shelf life and are cheaper.