Abdul Mujeeb, Nuzhat Ansari, Altaf Ahmed.
Serological markers of hepatitis B infection: a study to reduce cost and improve interpretation.
Infect Dis J Jan ;16(1):17-9.

Background: The objective of the study was to develop simple and cost effective panels for the diagnosis of hepatitis B infection to improve its interpretation and reduce cost. Method: All those persons who were serologically investigated for the diagnosis or exposure to Hepatitis B infection on a standard panel at the clinical laboratory of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi during the period 1997-2002 and found reactive for any of these markers were included in the study. Six cost effective sub panels of different serological states of hepatitis B infection were developed and their efficiency and cost evaluated against the performance and cost of a standard panel of hepatitis B serological states. Result: Out of 511 serological presentations of hepatitis B tests evaluated, 434(85%) presentations were easily interpretable on the standard panel and 475 (93%) on the proposed cost effective sub panels. Proposed sub panels reduced the cost ranging from 80% to 50% Conclusion. Appropriate and judicious selection of hepatitis B markers against the use of standard panel of 6 markers altogether can improve the interpretation of the test and reduce the cost effectively.

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