"Clinical Significance
Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total, with Reflex to IgM - This assay detects presence of both IgG and IgM antibodies to the hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) antigen. If positive, it reflexes to further detect only the presence of IgM anti-HBc. When both the total anti-HBc and IgM anti-HBc are positive, it is indicative of acute HBV infection. A positive total anti-HBc with negative IgM anti-HBc is indicative of either acute or past Hepatitis B infection. Total anti-HBc may be the only HBV marker detected in past infection. Anti-HBc antibodies, both total and IgM, are absent from HBV vaccinated people.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Alternative Specimen(s)
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume
0.8 mL

Transport Container
Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 21 days

Reject Criteria
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic

Includes
If Hepatitis B Core Antibody Total is reactive, then Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86705).

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)
Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total    Non-Reactive