"Clinical Significance
Hepatitis B Core Antibody (IgM) -
Hepatitis B core-specific IgM class antibody has been detected in most acute infections and is a reliable marker for acute disease. In some cases, hepatitis B core IgM antibody may be the only specific marker for the diagnosis of acute infection with hepatitis B virus.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Minimum Volume
0.5 mL

Collection Instructions
Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.

Transport Container
Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days

Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 21 days

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)
Non-Reactive

Alternative Name(s)
Anti-HBc, IgM