Acute/Chronic/Infectivity HBV profile

Test Code

MISC (Quest 5522)

Alias/See Also

Hepatitis B Virus Profile

Includes

Hep. B Core Antibody (IGM) Quest 4848
Hep. B Surface Antigen w/ reflex to confirm Quest 498
Hep. Be Antibody Quest 556
Hep. be Antigen Quest 555

Preferred Specimen

4 ml Serum - Minimum specimen = 2.0 ml
( Alternative specimen- Plasma from EDTA tube)

Transport Container

SST tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temp: 7 days, Refrigerated: 14 days

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

Gross hemolysis or gross lipemia.

Report Available

3 days

Clinical Significance

Hep B Core-specific IgM class antibody has been detected in most acute infections and is a reliable marker for acute disease. In some cases, Hep B Core IgM antibody may be the only specific marker for the diagnosis of acute infection with Hepatitis B virus.
Hep B Surface antigen usually appears in the serum after an incubation period of 1 to 6 months following exposure to Hepatitis B virus and peaks shortly after onset of symptoms. It typically disappears within 1 to 3 months. Persistence of Hepatitis B surface antigen for greater than 6 months is a prognostic indicator of chronic Hepatitis B infection.
HBeAb appears in the early convalescence of HBV infection. With carrier state and chronic hepatitis, HbeAb may not develop.
HBeAg indicates active HBV replication. Infectivity is evaluated based on HBeAg and HBsAg. When HBeAg persists much longer than 10 weeks, the patient is likely to develop chronic hepatitis and be a carrier.

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.