Test Id : SHEAB
Hepatitis B e Antibody, Serum
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Staging and prognosis of hepatitis B infection
Monitoring response to therapy in chronic hepatitis B infections (along with HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface [HBs] antigen, and HBs antibody) where seroconversion from hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen to HBe antibody indicates virological response
This test should not be used for screening in an asymptomatic setting.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
HBV (Hepatitis B Virus)
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
HBeAg
Hepatitis Be
Hepatitis B e
Hepatitis Be Antigen
Hepatitis B e Antigen
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Serum SST
Shipping Instructions
Specimens must be shipped refrigerated.
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Patient Preparation: Specimens should not be collected from patients receiving therapy with high biotin (vitamin B7) doses (eg, >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. For serum gel tubes, allow blood to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and refrigerate.
2. For red top tubes, allow blood to clot in an upright position for at least 60 minutes. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial, and refrigerate. Clearly label tube as serum from a plain red-top tube.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
See Specimen Required
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days | ||
| Frozen | 90 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Staging and prognosis of hepatitis B infection
Monitoring response to therapy in chronic hepatitis B infections (along with HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface [HBs] antigen, and HBs antibody) where seroconversion from hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen to HBe antibody indicates virological response
This test should not be used for screening in an asymptomatic setting.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a circular, partially double-stranded DNA virus of the Hepadnaviridae family that is unrelated to the viruses causing hepatitis A or hepatitis C. HBV is transmitted by exposure to infected bodily fluids during sexual activity, sharing intravenous drug injection equipment, or exposure to infected maternal blood at birth.
Hepatitis B virus illness is characterized as either acute or chronic, with hepatic injury resulting from the body's immune response to clear the infection. Acute HBV infection typically causes short-term symptoms (eg, jaundice, nausea, vomiting) within 6 months of exposure to HBV. In the United States, acute HBV infection leads to chronic disease in 5% of cases, although the percentage is much higher in infections with an onset in infancy and young childhood. Chronic HBV is a serious, lifelong illness that may result in cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.(1)
Serologic markers specific for HBV are used to diagnose HBV infection. The markers identify the stage of the infection (past, present, or chronic) and those who are at highest risk for complications. Hepatitis B core IgM antibody (HBcAb) is the first antibody to appear following acute HBV infection and is the best serologic marker for acute HBV infection. It is typically ordered as the follow-up test for a positive screening total HBcAb (IgM and IgG) to help differentiate acute infections (<6 months) from chronic/resolved infections.(1)
The incubation period for HBV is 45 to 160 days, with an average of 100 days for symptom onset. Acute illness is typically mild (especially in young children), however 30% to 50% of adolescents and adults will present with symptoms (jaundice, anorexia, nausea, vomiting). The disease may become fulminant in 0.1% to 0.5% of acute HBV infections, and acute clinical deterioration of an individual with the HBV should prompt evaluation for hepatitis D virus superinfection.(2)
Risk factors for HBV transmission include living in a household with a person who is infected with HBV, sexual contact with a person with an HBV infection, men who have sex with men, immigrants from regions of high HBV infectivity, kidney dialysis, concurrent use of immunosuppression medication, HIV infection, abnormal liver enzymes, inmates, and intravenous drug use.(3)
Hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) appears in early convalescence during hepatitis B infection in response to the hepatitis B viral e antigen. In most acute HBV infections, HBeAb appears after hepatic transaminases peak but before the disappearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The loss of HBeAg and development of HBeAb is known as "HBeAg seroconversion" and is associated with reduced infectivity and eventual disease resolution; failure of HBeAb to appear implies ongoing disease activity and probable chronicity.(4)
In chronic infections (HBsAg present for greater than 6 months), HBsAg carriers may be either positive or negative for HBeAb but are less infectious when HBeAb is present. Treatment-induced HBeAg seroconversion is an important therapeutic goal in patients who are HBeAg positive and typically leads to decreased hepatic inflammation and decreased levels of HBV DNA in serum: the inactive carrier state.(2)
It should be noted that while HBeAb can persist for years, it usually disappears earlier than HBsAb or HBcAb, which is why HBeAb is not used as the sole serologic marker for prior HBV infection.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Nonreactive
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Negative or nonreactive:
No evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection when hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative, hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) negative, and hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) negative.
Acute HBV infection when HBsAg positive, HBcAb (IgM) positive, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive, and HBsAb negative.
Active (replicating) chronic HBV infection when HBsAg positive, HBcAb positive (IgG), HBeAg positive, HBsAb negative)
Positive or reactive:
Indicates rapid viral replication usually associated with high HBV DNA levels and high infectivity risk which may be seen in either acute or chronic HBV infections.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
A negative result does not rule out infectivity or chronic hepatitis B carrier status.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Hepatitis B Resources for Health Professionals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Updated April 30, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2025. Available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/hcp/provider-resources/
2. Carey W. Hepatitis B. Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute; August 2010. Accessed June 19, 2025. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/digestive/medical-professionals/hepatology/hepatitis-b
3. Hepatitis B. World Health Organization; Updated April 9, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2025. Available at www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/
4. Sacher RA, Peters SM, Bryan JA. Testing for viral hepatitis. A practice parameter. Am J Clin Pathol. 2000;113(1):12-17. doi:10.1309/XHBK-C91T-Y2C6-6L0B
5. Elgouhari HM, Abu-Rajab Tamimi TI, Carey W. Hepatitis B: a strategy for evaluation and management [published correction appears in Cleve Clin J Med. 2009 Feb;76(2):128]. Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(1):19-35. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08025
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The Elecsys Anti-HBc (hepatitis B virus core antibody) IgM assay is based on the sandwich immunoassay principle and performed with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the automated cobas e 801 immunochemistry analyzer. Anti-HBc IgM present in patient's sample is pretreated with anti-Fdy reagent to block specific IgG. After addition of biotinylated monoclonal human IgM-specific antibodies, the complexes formed from reaction of ruthenium-labeled HBc antigen, streptavidin-coated microparticles (solid phase), anti-HBc IgM present in the sample, and the biotinylated anti-human IgM bind to the solid phase via interaction of biotin and streptavidin. The reaction mixture is then aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode, and unbound substances are washed away. Voltage is applied to the electrode that induces chemiluminescent emissions, which are measured by a photomultiplier. Test result is determined by comparing the electrochemiluminescence signal generated from the sample to the cutoff index value set from reagent lot-specific assay calibration.(Package insert: Elecsys Anti-HBc IgM. Roche Diagnostics; v1.0, 09/2020)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Friday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
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- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by the performing lab in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
86707
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SHEAB | Hepatitis B e Antibody, S | Not Provided |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| SHEAB | Hepatitis B E Antibody, S | Not Provided |