Published online Oct 18, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i23.2482
Peer-review started: May 6, 2015
First decision: July 29, 2015
Revised: August 18, 2015
Accepted: September 29, 2015
Article in press: September 30, 2015
Published online: October 18, 2015
Processing time: 173 Days and 20.5 Hours
Core tip: The article was aimed to review published methods of detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A thorough search on medline database was conducted and 72 studies were included. It was observed that HBV can be detected reliably from dried blood spot (sensitivity > 90%). Serological and Molecular assays are predominant and reliable methods. Chemiluminescent immunoassay is more sensitive than Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Rapid tests are useful for screening. Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), branched DNA probe assays are principal methods for quantitation. Automated systems are more sensitive compared to in house assays. Abbott real time PCR was found to be most sensitive with a lower detection limit of only 1.48 IU/mL.