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Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Test CodeHBSAG
Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB471
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Collection Container: Red top
Instructions
Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
Transport Temperature
Plastic vial
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 6 days
Frozen: >6 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, hemolyzed, QNS, exceeds specimen/stability requirements.
Methodology
Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA)
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
A nonreactive test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with hepatitis B virus, or coinfection with other hepatitis viruses.
Specimens containing Heterophile/HAMA antibodies may show either falsely elevated or depressed values.
Gross hemolysis may prevent accurate results.
Reference Range
Non-reactive
Clinical Significance
HBV is transmitted through direct contact with blood and body fluids. Modes of transmission include transfusion, needle puncture, contact with open wounds, sexual contact, and mother-infant contact during birth. In the US., the CDC recommends prenatal testing for all pregnant women to identify newborns from HBV carriers mothers that can benefit from early prophylactic treatment
Average incubation is 6-8 weeks with a range of 1-6 months. Infection can be asymptomatic, but clinical signs include malaise, fever, gastroenteritis, and icterus. In adults ~95% recover from acute illness, but ~5% become chronic carriers. In neonates, up to 90% develop chronic HBV infection. Chronic HBV infection is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.
HBsAg is the first serologic marker to appear at 6-16 weeks following HBV infection. In acute cases, HBsAg disappears 1-2 months after onset of symptoms. Persistence of HBsAg for more than 6 months indicates development of a carrier state or chronic liver disease.
The assay is used to assist in the diagnosis of suspected HBV infection, and to monitor the status of carrier state and patients who are chronically infected.
Average incubation is 6-8 weeks with a range of 1-6 months. Infection can be asymptomatic, but clinical signs include malaise, fever, gastroenteritis, and icterus. In adults ~95% recover from acute illness, but ~5% become chronic carriers. In neonates, up to 90% develop chronic HBV infection. Chronic HBV infection is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.
HBsAg is the first serologic marker to appear at 6-16 weeks following HBV infection. In acute cases, HBsAg disappears 1-2 months after onset of symptoms. Persistence of HBsAg for more than 6 months indicates development of a carrier state or chronic liver disease.
The assay is used to assist in the diagnosis of suspected HBV infection, and to monitor the status of carrier state and patients who are chronically infected.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Last Updated: April 10, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, April 10, 2023