Which laboratory procedure is commonly used to detect hepatitis B virus in blood donors?

The detection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in blood donors frequently employs the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This technique is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction, allowing for the identification of specific proteins or antigens associated with HBV. In the context of blood donation screening, ELISA is utilized to detect markers such as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which indicates an active infection and potential transmissibility.

ELISA is highly sensitive and specific, making it an ideal choice for screening large populations of blood donors. The procedure can efficiently process multiple samples simultaneously, providing rapid results that are essential for ensuring blood safety.

Other methods, while useful in different contexts, are not the primary choice for routine screening in blood donations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for instance, is a more sensitive method that detects viral DNA, which is valuable for confirming active infections or in cases of very early infection, but it is not routinely used for screening all blood donors due to its cost and complexity. Western blot is primarily a confirmatory test for antibodies rather than direct detection of the virus. Northern blot is not common in this context as it is used for the detection of RNA and has limited applicability in hepatitis B