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HelpTest ID: HBAB Hepatitis B Surface Antibody, Qualitative/Quantitative, Serum
Reporting Name
HBs Antibody, SUseful For
Identifying previous exposure to hepatitis B virus
Determining adequate immunity from hepatitis B vaccination
Clinical Information
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, also known as serum hepatitis, is endemic throughout the world. The infection is spread primarily through blood transfusion or percutaneous contact with infected blood products, such as sharing of needles among injection drug users. The virus is found in virtually every type of human body fluid and has been known to be spread through oral and genital contact. HBV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through contact with blood and vaginal secretions, but it is not commonly transmitted via the transplacental route.
The incubation period for HBV infection averages 60 to 90 days (range of 45-180 days). Common symptoms include malaise, fever, gastroenteritis, and jaundice (icterus). After acute infection, HBV infection becomes chronic in 30% to 90% of infected children younger than 5 years of age and in 5% to 10% of infected individuals 5 years of age or older. Some of these chronic carriers are asymptomatic, while others progress to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the first serologic marker, appearing in the serum 6 to 16 weeks following HBV infection. In acute cases, HBsAg usually disappears 1 to 2 months after the onset of symptoms with the appearance of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). Anti-HBs also appears as the immune response following hepatitis B vaccination.
Interpretation
A positive result indicates recovery from acute or chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or acquired immunity from HBV vaccination. This assay does not differentiate between a vaccine-induced immune response and an immune response induced by infection with HBV. A positive total antihepatitis B core (anti-HBc) result would indicate that the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) response is due to past HBV infection.
Per assay manufacturer's instructions for use, positive results, defined as anti-HBs levels of 12.0 mIU/mL or greater, indicate adequate immunity to HBV from past hepatitis B viral infection or HBV vaccination. However, per current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance,(1) individuals with anti-HBs levels greater than 10 mIU/mL after completing an HBV vaccination series are considered protected from hepatitis B.
Negative results, defined as anti-HBs levels of less than 5.0 mIU/mL, indicate a lack of recovery from acute or chronic hepatitis B or inadequate immune response to HBV vaccination. The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices does not recommend more than 2 HBV vaccine series in nonresponders.
Indeterminate results, defined as anti-HBs levels in the range from 5 to 11.9 mIU/mL, indicate inability to determine if anti-HBs is present at levels consistent with recovery or immunity. Repeat testing is recommended in 1 to 3 months.
For more information see Hepatitis B: Testing Algorithm for Screening, Diagnosis, and Management.
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Clinical Reference
1. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011 Nov 25;60(RR-7):1-45
2. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and monitoring of treatment. J Clin Virol. 2001 Jun;21(3):229-237
3. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus. Clin Liver Dis. 2004 May;8(2):267-281
4. LeFebre ML, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for hepatitis B virus infection in nonpregnant adolescents and adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jul 1;161(1):58-66. doi:10.7326/M14-1018
5. Jackson K, Locarnini S, Gish R: Diagnostics of hepatitis B virus: Standard of care and investigational. Clin Liver Dis. 2018 Jul;12(1):5-11. doi: 10.1002/cld.729
6. Coffin CS, Zhou K, Terrault NA: New and old biomarkers for diagnosis and management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jan;156(2):355-368. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.11.037
7. WHO Guidelines Development Group: WHO guidelines on hepatitis B and C testing. World Health Organization; 2017. Accessed July 8, 2021. Available at www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549981
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Testing and public health management of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. CDC; Updated March 28, 2022. Accessed September 9, 2022. Available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/testingchronic.htm
Method Name
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CIA)
Specimen Type
Serum SSTOrdering Guidance
If patient is being monitored for hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) therapy after organ transplantation, order HBABT / Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Monitor, Post-Transplant, Serum.
This test should not be used for screening asymptomatic, nonpregnant individuals with or without risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. For screening such patients, order HBBSN / Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Screen, Qualitative/Quantitative, Serum.
This test should not be used for prenatal screening of pregnant individuals with or without risk factors for HBV infection. For screening such patients, order HBABP / Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Prenatal, Qualitative/Quantitative, Serum.
Necessary Information
Date of collection is required.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).
2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | ||
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reference Values
HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIBODY
Unvaccinated: negative
Vaccinated: positive
HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIBODY, QUANTITATIVE
Unvaccinated: <5.0 mIU/mL
Vaccinated: ≥12.0 mIU/mL
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86706
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HBAB | HBs Antibody, S | 5193-8 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HB_AB | HBs Antibody, S | 10900-9 |
| HBSQN | HBs Antibody, Quantitative, S | 5193-8 |
Testing Algorithm
For more information see Hepatitis B: Testing Algorithm for Screening, Diagnosis, and Management
Special Instructions
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following:
mml-hepatitis