| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody
MessageSerum and plasma should be separated from the cells within 2 hours from the time of collection.
Test Code
HBCM
Alias/See Also
Hep B Core IgM
CPT Codes
86705
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL Serum or Plasma
Minimum Volume
50 uL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma- Lithium Heparin (PST)
Plasma- EDTA (Lavender)
Serum- Red Top
Gold Top (SST)
Tiger Top
Plasma- EDTA (Lavender)
Serum- Red Top
Gold Top (SST)
Tiger Top
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: N/A
Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 deg C
Frozen: 3 months at -20 deg C; Samples may be frozen and thawed up to 6 times.
Timing Considerations: Serum and plasma should be separated from the cells within 2 hours from the time of collection.
Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 deg C
Frozen: 3 months at -20 deg C; Samples may be frozen and thawed up to 6 times.
Timing Considerations: Serum and plasma should be separated from the cells within 2 hours from the time of collection.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Samples not labeled with complete first and last name and date of birth.
Grossly hemolyzed.
Grossly hemolyzed.
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sun - Sat
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
Non-reactive
Clinical Significance
Intended for the in vitro qualitative determination of IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti HBc IgM) in human serum or plasma in adult patients with symptoms of hepatitis or who may be at risk for hepatitis B (HBV) infection. The presence of anti HBc IgM, in conjunction with other laboratory results and clinical information, is indicative of acute or recent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is a non-glycosylated protein (p22) which forms the nucleocapsid (virus core) of the hepatitis B virus. The virus core encloses the HBV DNA (virus genome) and the DNA-polymerase. In the cytosol of virus-producing hepatocytes the nucleocapsid is enveloped by the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to form virions. Free HBcAg or non-enveloped virus cores are not detectable in serum. IgM antibodies to HBcAg occur in serum during proliferation of active hepatitis B virus and can still be detected weeks to months after viral proliferation has ceased. High anti HBc IgM concentrations can be found in acute hepatitis B and in attacks during chronic hepatitis B.
Tests for detecting anti HBc IgM antibodies are used, in conjunction with HBsAg determinations, to identify acute hepatitis B viral infections. An acute attack of hitherto non-diagnosed chronic hepatitis B clinically resembles an acute hepatitis B infection and cannot be distinguished from this with certainty by determining the anti HBc IgM. Follow-up studies, imaging procedures and liver biopsies are useful in differentiating between these two clinical pictures.
Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is a non-glycosylated protein (p22) which forms the nucleocapsid (virus core) of the hepatitis B virus. The virus core encloses the HBV DNA (virus genome) and the DNA-polymerase. In the cytosol of virus-producing hepatocytes the nucleocapsid is enveloped by the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to form virions. Free HBcAg or non-enveloped virus cores are not detectable in serum. IgM antibodies to HBcAg occur in serum during proliferation of active hepatitis B virus and can still be detected weeks to months after viral proliferation has ceased. High anti HBc IgM concentrations can be found in acute hepatitis B and in attacks during chronic hepatitis B.
Tests for detecting anti HBc IgM antibodies are used, in conjunction with HBsAg determinations, to identify acute hepatitis B viral infections. An acute attack of hitherto non-diagnosed chronic hepatitis B clinically resembles an acute hepatitis B infection and cannot be distinguished from this with certainty by determining the anti HBc IgM. Follow-up studies, imaging procedures and liver biopsies are useful in differentiating between these two clinical pictures.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th St
Frederick, MD 21701
Last Updated: December 28, 2023
