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HelpTest Code HBCT Hepatitis B Core Antibodies Total
Infectious
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Serum
Preferred Specimen: Red Top
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions:
Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions:
- Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
- Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
- Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
- Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours
Reference Values
This is a qualitative test.
|
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
Interpretation |
|
HBCT |
All |
All |
>1.1 COI |
Non-Reactive |
|
HBCT |
All |
All |
>0.9 OR ≤1.1 COI |
Borderline |
|
HBCT |
All |
All |
≤0.9 COI |
Reactive |
Critical Values
|
Analyte |
Unit |
Low |
High |
Age |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
CPT Codes
86704
LOINC Codes
13952-7
Volume
Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability
|
Room Temperature |
7 days |
|
Refrigerated |
14 days |
|
Frozen |
3 months |
Note: May be frozen up to 4 times.
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
Test Components
Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibody
Clinical Indications
Hepatitis B virus core antibodies (anti-HBc) appear shortly after the onset of symptoms of hepatitis B infection and soon after the appearance of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Initially, anti-HBc consist almost entirely of the IgM antibody class, followed by appearance of anti-HBc IgG for which there is no commercial diagnostic assay.
The anti-HBc total antibody test, which detects both IgM and IgG antibodies, and the test for anti-HBc IgM may be the only markers of recent hepatitis B detectable in the "window period." The window period begins with the clearance of HBsAg and ends with the appearance of anti-HBs. Anti-HBc total may be the only serologic marker remaining years after exposure to hepatitis B virus.
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)
Additional Information
Negative hepatitis B virus core total antibody (anti-HBc total) test results indicate the absence of exposure to hepatitis B virus and no evidence of recent, past/resolved, or chronic hepatitis B.
A positive result indicates acute, chronic, or past or resolved hepatitis B.
An inconclusive result suggests the presence of an interfering substance in the patient's serum specimen.
Positive anti-HBc total test results should be correlated with the presence of other hepatitis B virus serologic markers, elevated liver enzymes, clinical signs and symptoms, and a history of risk factors.
If clinically indicated, testing for anti-HBc IgM (HBIM / Hepatitis B Virus Core Antibody, IgM, Serum) is necessary to confirm an acute or recent infection.
Neonatal patients (<1 month old) with positive anti-HBc total results from this assay should be tested for anti-HBc IgM (HBIM / Hepatitis B Virus Core Antibody, IgM, Serum) to rule out possible maternal anti-HBc causing false-positive results. Repeat testing using this assay for anti-HBc total within 1 month is also recommended for these neonatal patients.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: Not available as STAT test
Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Synonyms/Keyword Search
HBCT
Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibodies
AHAVIgM
Last Review Date
06/14/2024