Trial of a combined test for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HBc.

A combined hepatitis test (Ausria/Core, Abbott Laboratories, Wiesbaden, West Germany) detects hepatitis B surface antigen by radioimmunoassay and antibody to the core antigen by enzyme immunoassay using a single bead. It was found to have comparable sensitivity to commercially available tests from the same manufacturer for each component. Reproducibility was satisfactory for both components. The combined test is simpler and cheaper to perform than two separate tests.