Detection of HBV DNA in Serum Using a PCR-Based Assay

Detection of minute amounts of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay involves extracting the viral DNA from the viral particle in the serum, removing inhibitors of PCR, performing the PCR, and detecting the PCR product. PCR is an extremely sensitive assay, and preventing cross contamination is an important part of the assay.