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.

The technique of robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery in gynaecology, its introduction into the clinical routine of a gynaecological department and the analysis of the perioperative courses - a German experience.

Objective: Robotic assisted surgery is an advancement on conventional laparoscopy. The first and single FDA-approved device is the da-Vinci™ system, which provides means to overcome the limitations of conventional laparoscopy. In Germany the use of the robotic system in gynaecology is at the threshold of a promising development.