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Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total, with Reflex to IgM
Test Code37676
CPT Codes
86704
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).
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.8 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 21 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 21 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
A.M.; Night Sets up 6 days a week.
Limitations
Results obtained from immunosuppressed patients should be interpreted with caution. Patients receiving mouse antibody therapy may produce false-negative results. False-positives may be detected shortly after immunization to influenza and with patients with hypergammaglobulinemia, positive rheumatoid factor, and connective tissue disorders.
Clinical Significance
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.