Radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay methods for detecting viral hepatitis markers.

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods for HBsAg were compared on the basis of responses to the AABB-CAP Viral Hepatitis Marker proficiency survey. Conversion of laboratories to the EIA method was documented for the period studied. Using standard incubation procedures, participants using the EIA method reported results comparable to those reported by laboratories using RIA methods. The short incubation procedures for RIA and EIA were both less sensitive and less specific than standard incubation procedures.