Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Test Code

HBSAG

Alias/See Also

Included in Hepatitis Profile

CPT Codes
87340

Preferred Specimen

Serum (gold top tube)

Minimum Volume

1mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top tube)

Transport Container

Serum (gold top) tube or Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 8 hours; Refrigeration - 48 hours

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Hemolysis, Turbidity, Quantity Not Sufficient, IV contamination

Methodology
Chemiluminescence

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Limitations

Individuals recently vaccinated for hepatitis B may give a transient positive result for HBsAg because of its presence in the vaccine. The ability of the VITROS HBsAg test to detect HBV mutants has not been determined. Testing using alternative methodologies may be warranted if signs, symptoms, and risk factors are indicative of viral hepatitis and other laboratory tests are nonreactive for the diagnosis of viral hepatitis.

Reference Range

Interpretation:

Negative: Non-reactive for Hepatitis B surface Antigen. A negative result does not rule out other types of viral hepatitis.

Positive: Specimen is presumed to be reactive for Hepatitis B surface Antigen.

Clinical Significance

Viral hepatitis is a disease of the liver that is caused by a number of well-characterized viruses including HBV. Transmission of HBV occurs by percutaneous exposure to blood products and contaminated instruments, sexual contact and perinatally from HBV-infected mothers to their unborn child. HBV infection produces an array of unique antigens and antibody responses that, in general, follow distinct serological patterns. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), derived from the viral envelope, is the first antigen to appear following infection and can be detected serologically as an aid in the laboratory diagnosis of acute HBV infection.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.