KEMRI HEP-cell II hepatitis B surface antigen screening kit

Kenya is a high hepatitis B virus endemic zone and prevention of viral transmission by transfusing safe blood is necessary. However kits for screening hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are usually imported and are expensive; hence it has been difficult to screen donated and patient blood samples all over the country. This laboratory-based study conducted at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) produced a HBsAg screening kit locally in order to be able to screen donated and patient blood samples throughout Kenya. Purified HBsAg from plasma carriers obtained from the National Public Health Laboratories Services was used to induce guinea pigs to produce anti-hepatitis B antibody (anti-HBs). The anti-HBs was then used to sensitize sheep red blood cells. The final product was freeze dried (lyophilized) and its sensitivity and specificity was compared with other commercial kits. The KEMRI Hep-cell II had 98% and 99% sensitivity and specificity respectively in comparison with other commercial kits. The kit was found to be stable and potent for 1 year at temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius 37 degrees Celsius or at room temperature. The KEMRI Hep-cell II kit is cheap and affordable and requires a simple apparatus to carry out the test; hence it can be used anywhere in Kenya.