| 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 Antibody, Total
Test Code501
CPT Codes
86704
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat a.m.; Report available: Next day
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 immunication to influenza and with patients with hypergammalobulinemia, positive rheumatoid factor, and connective tissue disorders.
Reference Range
Non-Reactive
Clinical Significance
This assay does not distinguish between Total B Core Antibody IgG and IgM detected before or at the onset of symptoms; however, such reactivity can persist for years after illness, and may even outlast anti-HBS. Occasionally Hepatitis B Core Antibody may be the only marker of either current or past Hepatitis B infection. HBV vaccination leads to development of HBsAb but not to HBcAb.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute |
| 14225 Newbrook Drive |
| Chantilly, VA 20153 |
