Test Catalog

Test Id : HBC

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Hepatitis B Core Total Antibodies, Serum

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Diagnosis of recent or past hepatitis B infection

 

Determination of occult hepatitis B infection in otherwise healthy hepatitis B virus carriers with negative test results for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B surface, anti-hepatitis B core IgM, hepatitis Be antigen, and anti-hepatitis Be

 

This assay is not useful for differentiating among acute, chronic, and past or resolved hepatitis B infection

 

This test should not be used as a screening or confirmatory test for blood donor specimens.

Highlights

This diagnostic test should be used to test symptomatic individuals suspected with viral hepatitis.

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CIA)

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

HBc Total Ab, S

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Anti Core Antibodies

Anti-Hepatitis Bc

Antibody to Hepatitis Bc

HBV (Hepatitis B Virus)

Hepatitis B Core Ab IgG and IgM, S

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Hepatitis Bc

HBC

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Serum SST

Ordering Guidance

This test should not be used to screen or test pregnant individuals who may or may not have risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. For testing such patients, order HBCPR / Hepatitis B Core Total Antibodies Prenatal, Serum.

 

This test should not be used to screen or test asymptomatic, non-pregnant individuals with or without risk factors for HBV. For testing such patients, order HBCSN / Hepatitis B Total Antibodies Screen, Serum.

 

If a hepatitis B core total antibody test that reflexes to hepatitis B core IgM is needed, order test CORAB / Hepatitis B Core Total Antibodies, with Reflex to Hepatitis B Core Antibody IgM, Serum.

Necessary Information

Date of collection is required.

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

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. Transfer serum into plastic vial.

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Client Test Request (T728)

-Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916)

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the Testing Laboratory

0.4 mL

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 Frozen (preferred) 28 days
Refrigerated 7 days
Ambient 24 hours

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Diagnosis of recent or past hepatitis B infection

 

Determination of occult hepatitis B infection in otherwise healthy hepatitis B virus carriers with negative test results for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B surface, anti-hepatitis B core IgM, hepatitis Be antigen, and anti-hepatitis Be

 

This assay is not useful for differentiating among acute, chronic, and past or resolved hepatitis B infection

 

This test should not be used as a screening or confirmatory test for blood donor specimens.

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb) appear shortly after the onset of symptoms of hepatitis B infection and soon after the appearance of HB surface antigen (HBsAg). Initially, HBcAb consist almost entirely of the IgM class, followed by appearance of HBc IgG for which there is no commercial diagnostic assay.

 

The HBc total antibodies test, which detects both IgM and IgG antibodies, and the test for HBc IgM antibodies may be the only markers of a recent hepatitis B infection detectable in the "window period." The window period begins with the clearance of HBsAg and ends with the appearance of antibodies to HBs antigen. HBc total antibodies may be the only serologic marker remaining years after exposure to hepatitis B.

 

This assay is US Food and Drug Administration-approved for in vitro diagnostic use and not for screening cell, tissue, and blood donors.

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.

Negative

Interpretation depends on clinical setting.

See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Negative hepatitis B core (HBc) total antibody (Ab) 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 HBc total Ab 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 HBIM / Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM, Serum is necessary to confirm an acute or recent infection.

 

Neonatal patients (<1 month old) with positive HBc total Ab results from this assay should be tested for anti-HBc IgM (HBIM / Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM, Serum) to rule out possible maternal HBcAb causing false-positive results. Repeat testing using this assay for HBc total Ab within 1 month is also recommended for these neonatal patients.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

-Samples containing sodium azide may cause false-positive results and should not be tested.

-Lipemic and precipitated samples may give inconsistent results.

 

Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:

-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level of >20 mg/dL)

-Grossly lipemic (triolein level of >3000 mg/dL)

-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level of >500 mg/dL)

-Containing particulate matter

-Cadaveric specimens

-Heat inactivated specimens

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Bonino F, Piratvisuth T, Brunetto MR, Liaw YF: Diagnostic markers of chronic hepatitis B infection and disease. Antivir Ther. 2010;15(3):35-44. doi: 10.3851/IMP1622

2. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and monitoring of treatment. J Clin Virol. 2001 Jun;21(3):229-237. doi: 10.1016/s1386-6532(01)00147-0

3. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus. Clin Liver Dis. 2004 May;8(2):267-281. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2004.02.001

4. LeFevre 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 Aug 22;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: World Health Organization: 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

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The VITROS anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) assay is a competitive immunoassay method based on the reaction of anti-HBc in the sample with hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)-coated wells. Unbound sample is removed by washing. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibody conjugate (mouse monoclonal anti-HBc) is then allowed to react with the remaining exposed HBcAg on the well surface. Unbound conjugate is removed by washing.

 

The bound HRP conjugate is measured by a luminescent reaction. A reagent containing luminogenic substrates (a luminol derivative and a peracid salt) and an electron transfer agent are added to the wells. The HRP in the bound conjugate catalyzes the oxidation of the luminol derivative, producing light. The electron transfer agent increases the level and duration of the light produced. The light signals are read by the system. The amount of HRP conjugate bound is indicative of the concentration of anti-HBc present in the sample.(Package insert: VITROS Anti-HBc Assay, Pub. No. GEM1211. Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc; version 13.1, 09/06/2019)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

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 Saturday

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.

Same day/1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

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.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their Regional Manager. 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 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
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.

86704

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
HBC HBc Total Ab, S 13952-7
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.
HBC HBc Total Ab, S 13952-7

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports