The role of CMIA as hepatitis B screening tool in blood donors

Introduction: Hepatitis B infection has become an endemic problem in various nations. Numerous types of screening instruments have been identified and put to use. In comparison to other screening methods, the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays method is said to have a high specificity and sensitivity. It has also been reported that this technique can identify occult infections, which are difficult to identify early on. This research aims to compare the best screening techniques for detecting Hepatitis B infection. Method: We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect databases from inception through 2000 for peer reviewed articles (in all languages) evidence related to the use of CMIA for detecting HbsAg. Results: The CMIA method successfully identified an infection that the ELISA method was unable to detect. The CMIA kit outperformed the ELISA kits in terms of sensitivity and specificity by distinguishing true-positive HBsAg samples from those having HBsAg levels lower than the ELISA kit's grey zones. Conclusion: The CMIA detects HBsAg in its early stages, shortening the "window period". This is critical because the viral antigens are difficult to detect during the window period because it is still early in the cycle. The identification of anti-HBc is also critical for early detection of Hepatitis B infection. The Wantai CMIA is suitable for screening blood donors because of its excellent sensitivity and specificity.