Screening of HBs Antigen and Detection of Corresponding Antibodies on Groupamatic Equipment

Abstract

The widespread utilization of Groupamatic equipment for routine immunohematological tests has increased the demand for serological procedures that can be performed with this machine. The test method is described which was developed and with which the detection of HBs [hepatitis B surface] antigen was carried out routinely for 1 yr. It is an automated hemagglutination inhibition reaction which is called GIPHA (Groupamatic inhibition of passive hemagglutination). The sensitivity corresponds to 2 CNTS [Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine] units, the antigen weight for 1 unit being from 1-4 ng. The reproducibility is good; the percentage of false positive reactions is about 0.5% and that of technical problems 0.7%. The additional advantages of the machines are numerous, among which we have the possibility of 11 other simultaneous reactions. One of them is the detection of [human] antibodies against HBs antigen, which is a passive hemagglutination test called PHAG (passive hemagglutination on Groupamatic).