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HEPATITIS B VIRUS SEROLOGY

Synonym(s):

​HBsAg, qHBsAg, Anti-HBc IgM, HBV Core IgM Ab, Anti-HBc Total, HBV Core Total Ab, HBV e Antibody (anti-HBe), HBV Surface Antibody (anti-HBs), Anti-HBs

Lab Section Category

Virology
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Description

​Hepatitis B Surface Antigen QuaLitative (HBsAg)

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen QuaNtitative (qHBsAg)

Antibody to Surface Antigen (anti-HBs) 

IgM Antibody to Core Antigen (anti-HBc IgM)

Antibody to Core Antigen (anti-HBc total) 

Hepatitis B ‘e’ Antigen (HBeAg) 

Antibody to e Antigen (anti-HBe) 

Confirmatory Test for HBsAg

Specimen Required

​3 mL plain blood for single marker. 6 – 8 mL plain blood for panel of markers.

(a) To diagnose acute hepatitis B infection or the carrier state, send blood for HBsAg QuaLitative and anti-HBc IgM.

(b) To determine immune status following past infection or vaccination, send blood for anti-HBs.

(c) In the case of a carrier, send blood for HBeAg and anti-HBe.

(d) To monitor response to HBV therapy, send blood for HBsAg QuaNtitative.

Storage and Transport

​Refrigerate samples if delay in transporting to laboratory is anticipated. Do not freeze.

Method

​Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (for all above)

Test Results

HBsAg​Anti-HBs​Anti-HBc
IgM
​Anti-HBc
total
​HBeAg Interpretation
 
+ or -
<10 mIU/mL+++ or -Acute Hepatitis B
 + <10 or ≥ 10
mIU/mL
 - ++ or - Hep B carrier
 - ≥ 10 mIU/mL  - + - Past Infection*
 -  ≥ 10 mIU/mL - - - Vaccination*

* An anti-HBs antibody level >10 mIU/mL is considered to be protective.

Turnaround Time

​HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg or anti-HBe: <1 – 2 days

Confirmatory HBsAg or HBsAg QuaNtitative: <1 – 7 days

Day(s) Test Set up

​HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg and anti-HBe: Monday – Saturday

Confirmatory HBsAg and qHBsAg: Wednesday (except Public Holidays)

Change History Notes

  • 23 Nov 2015 7:00 AM

    Change of Test Setup and TAT for Anti-HBc total (ie., Monday-Friday to Monday-Saturday and <1-3 days to <1-2 days, respectively).

  • 02 May 2018 9:35 AM

    Consolidated the TAT and the day test set up.

  • 15 Jan 2024 4:00 PM

    ​Change in TAT for anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg and anti-HBe.


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Last updated on 16 Jan 2024