Frequency of hepatitis B surface antigen variants (HBsAg) in hepatitis B virus genotype B and C infected East- and Southeast Asian patients: Detection by the Elecsys HBsAg II assay.

Background: To avoid false negative results, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) assays need to detect samples with mutations in the immunodominant 'a' determinant region, which vary by ethnographic region.

Objective: We evaluated the prevalence and type of HBsAg mutations in a hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected East- and Southeast Asian population, and the diagnostic performance of the Elecsys HBsAg II Qualitative assay.

Study Design: We analyzed 898 samples from patients with HBV infection from four sites (China [Beijing and Guangzhou], Korea and Vietnam).

Substantial variation in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive patients from South Africa: Reliable detection of HBV by the Elecsys HBsAg II assay.

Background: It is essential that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) diagnostic assays reliably detect genetic diversity in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of HBsAg to avoid false-negative results. Mutations in this domain display marked ethno-geographic variation and may lead to failure to diagnose hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Objectives: Evaluate diagnostic performance of the Elecsys HBsAg II Qualitative assay in a cohort of South African HBV-positive blood donors.

DaMold: A data-mining platform for variant annotation and visualization in molecular diagnostics research.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become a powerful and efficient tool for routine mutation screening in clinical research. As each NGS test yields hundreds of variants, the current challenge is to meaningfully interpret the data and select potential candidates. Analyzing each variant while manually investigating several relevant databases to collect specific information is a cumbersome and time-consuming process, and it requires expertise and familiarity with these databases.

MSP-HTPrimer: a high-throughput primer design tool to improve assay design for DNA methylation analysis in epigenetics.

Background: Bisulfite (BS) conversion-based and methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE)-based PCR methods have been the most commonly used techniques for locus-specific DNA methylation analysis. However, both methods have advantages and limitations. Thus, an integrated approach would be extremely useful to quantify the DNA methylation status successfully with great sensitivity and specificity.

Erratum to: MSRE-HTPrimer: a high-throughput and genome-wide primer design pipeline optimized for epigenetic research.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0190-9.].