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Hepatitis B Core Antibody (IgM)
Test Code4848
CPT Codes
86705
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Instructions
Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
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 • Gross lipemia • Plasma in PPT Potassium EDTA (white-top) tube
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; 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 immunization to influenza and with patients with hypergammaglobulinemia, positive rheumatoid factor, and connective tissue disorders.
Reference Range
Non-Reactive
Clinical Significance
Hepatitis B core-specific IgM class antibody has been detected in most acute infections and is a reliable marker for acute disease. In some cases, hepatitis B core IgM antibody may be the only specific marker for the diagnosis of acute infection with hepatitis B virus.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute |
14225 Newbrook Drive |
Chantilly, VA 20153 |