Detection of Hepatitis‐B Surface Antigen in Plasma Samples by Reversed Passive Haemagglutination Tests

Abstract
A comparison of 2 commercial reversed passive hemagglutination tests with a counter-immunoelectrophoretic test, used to detect hepatitis-B surface antigen in reconstituted freeze-dried [human] plasma, showed an increase in the number of positive results by the hemagglutination tests. No difficulty was encountered with the appearance of non-specific agglutination provided the plasma was heated at 60.degree. C for 30 min, frozen overnight at -35.degree. C, thawed and centrifuged before testing.