Calibration of qualitative HBsAg assay results for quantitative HBsAg monitoring

• The Abbott Architect qualitative and quantitative HBsAg assays are remarkably linear.
• Serial, weekly calibrations suggest quantitating qualitative HBsAg values is feasible.
• This could be useful if low volume, quantitative HBsAg testing is not economical.

Evidence is accumulating that quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen monitoring may be useful in managing patients with chronic HBV infection on certain treatment regimens. Based on these results with the Abbott Architect qualitative and quantitative HBsAg assays, it seems feasible to convert qualitative to quantitative HBsAg values for this purpose.