8/20/2019 Serologic Chart v 8

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Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results

Hepatitis B serologic testing involves measurement of several hepatitis Bvirus (HBV)-specic antigens and antibodies. Different serologic “markers”

or combinations of markers are used to identify different phases of HBVinfection and to determine whether a patient has acute or chronic HBVinfection, is immune to HBV as a result of prior infection or vaccination, oris susceptible to infection.

Hepatitis B surfaceantigen (HBsAg):

A protein on the surfaceof hepatitis B virus; it canbe detected in high levelsin serum during acute orchronic hepatitis B virusinfection. The presence ofHBsAg indicates that theperson is infectious. Thebody normally producesantibodies to HBsAg aspart of the normal immuneresponse to infection.

HBsAg is the antigen usedto make hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B surfaceantibody (anti-HBs):The presence of anti-HBsis generally interpreted asindicating recovery andimmunity from hepatitis Bvirus infection. Anti-HBsalso develops in a personwho has been successfullyvaccinated againsthepatitis B.

Total hepatitis B coreantibody (anti-HBc):

Appears at the onsetof symptoms in acutehepatitis B and persistsfor life. The presence ofanti-HBc indicates previousor ongoing infection withhepatitis B virus in anundened time frame.

IgM antibody to hepatitis Bcore antigen (IgM anti-HBc):Positivity indicates recentinfection with hepatitis Bvirus (