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. 1989 Oct;78(1):75–79.

The spot-ELISA: a sensitive in vitro method to study the immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen.

P J Wismans 1, J van Hattum 1, G C De Gast 1, H J Endeman 1, J Poel 1, B Stolk 1, T Maikoe 1, G C Mudde 1
PMCID: PMC1534596  PMID: 2805427

Abstract

We present our experience with a new sensitive in vitro method for the study of the immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This immunoenzymatic technique, called spot-ELISA, detects specific immunoglobulin production (e.g. IgG- or IgM-anti-HBs) by stimulated individual B cells in vitro. We have studied the immune response against HBsAg by mitogenic stimulation and subsequent spot-ELISA assay in 24 well-documented subjects with known immune status after either natural infection or vaccination with plasma-derived vaccine. Results indicate a good correlation between in vitro IgG anti-HBs spots and immune 'memory.' A possible predictive value in non-immunized and non-responder subjects awaits further confirmation.

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Selected References

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