Evaluation of the hepatitis BS-antigen determination in serum, red blood cells and whole blood dried onto filter paper.

HBs-antigen was determined in serum, red cells and whole blood dried onto filter paper. In samples from HBs-antigen carriers readings of the Ausria II-test were higher in whole blood than in serum or red cells. The relevance of this finding was tested and the value of the method was demonstrated in a study on HBs-antigen prevalence in West Africans.