An Exploratory Analysis of Radioimmunoassays Data: Establishing Subtypes of the Hepatitis-b Virus

A novel approach has been developed for the analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigenic structure which creates numerical "signatures" of HBV viral strains. This technique employs high affinity IgM and IgG monoclonal antibodies (anti-HBs) directed toward distinct and separate determinants on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Such antibodies have been used to develop sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays for measurement of HBsAg-associated determinants in serum. This approach also involves the use of a statistical technique for aligning the unknown concentrations of HBsAg present in different individuals with the same viral strain. In this paper, we will describe the iterative procedure developed for analyzing these radioimmunoassays data and we will also present the findings of our exploratory analysis. In summary, this approach suggests that HBV is far more heterogeneous than previously recognized by polyvalent anti-HBs antibodies, and the present technique is shown to be useful in epidemiologic studies of HBV transmission. This approach also has broader significance for the study of subtle or major antigenic changes among other viral agents including polio, influenza and herpes since it is not necessary to know the concentration of virus or viral protein in complex protein mixtures.