Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

HBIS
209102
Core Antibody, IgM, Serum
Clinical Information: During the course of a typical case of acute hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection,
IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM) are present in the serum shortly before clinical
symptoms appear. Anti-HBc total is detectable during the prodromal, acute, and early convalescent phases
when it exists as immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-HBc. Anti-HBc IgM rises in level and is present during
the core window period, ie, after hepatitis B surface antigen disappears and before antibodies to hepatitis
B surface antigen appear. Anti-HBc total may be the only serologic marker remaining years after
exposure to HBV.
Useful For: Detection and differentiation between recent and past/resolved or chronic hepatitis B viral
(HBV) infection Diagnosis of recent HBV infection during the "window period" when both hepatitis B
surface antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen are negative
Interpretation: A positive, antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) total result may indicate,
either, recent, past/resolved, or chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. Testing for anti-HBc IgM
(HBIM/9015 Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM, Serum) is necessary to confirm the presence of acute or
recent hepatitis B. A positive anti-HBc total result with a negative anti-HBc IgM result indicates past or
chronic HBV infection. Differentiation between past/resolved and chronic hepatitis B can be based on the
presence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the latter condition. Negative anti-HBc total results indicate the
absence of recent, past/resolved, or chronic hepatitis B.
Reference Values:
Negative
Interpretation depends on clinical setting.
See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.
Clinical References: 1. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and monitoring of
treatment. J Clin Virol 2001;21(3):229-237 2. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular
diagnosis of hepatitis B virus. Clin Liver Dis 2004;8(2):67-281
Hepatitis B Immune Status Profile, Serum
Clinical Information: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that is endemic throughout the world.
The infection is spread primarily through percutaneous contact with infected blood products, eg, blood
transfusion, sharing of needles by drug addicts. The virus is also found in virtually every type of human
body fluid and is known to be spread through oral and genital contact. HBV can be transmitted from
mother to child during delivery through contact with blood and vaginal secretions; it is not commonly
transmitted transplacentally. After a course of acute illness, HBV persists in approximately 10% of
patients; some of these chronic carriers are asymptomatic.
Useful For: Determining stage of disease, degree of infectivity, prognosis, and immune status of
patients exposed to hepatitis B virus
Interpretation: In a normal course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)
along with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) become detectable in a patient's serum during the
incubation period, before the onset of clinical symptoms. Once clinical symptoms appear, HBeAg and
HBsAg peak and then start to decline. The presence of HBeAg and/or HBsAg indicates active replication
of HBV and positive results indicate patients are highly infectious for hepatitis B. HBV carriers usually
carry HBsAg, and possibly HBeAg, indefinitely in the serum. Hepatitis Be antibody (anti-HBe) begins to
appear after HBeAg has disappeared and may be detectable for several years after a patient's recovery.
Detectable anti-HBe in a patient who is an HBV carrier may indicate inactivity of the virus and low
infectivity of the patient. However, the absence or disappearance of HBeAg or anti-HBe does not rule out
chronic hepatitis B carrier state and/or infectivity. Production of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)
begins in the window period after HBsAg disappears and before anti-HBs appears. Anti-HBc is present
shortly after the onset of symptoms and can remain present for years after HBV infection. Anti-HBc IgM
is elevated during the acute phase of hepatitis B but will become negative within 6 months. The presence
of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) usually indicates resolution of the HBV infection and acquired
immunity to the virus. Anti-HBs may fall below detectable levels with time. See Viral Hepatitis Serologic
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