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HelpTest Code HBC Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibodies, Serum
Reporting Name
HBc Total Ab, SUseful For
Diagnosis of recent or past hepatitis B
Determination of occult hepatitis B in otherwise healthy hepatitis B virus carriers with negative test results for hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen, anti-HBs, anti-HB core IgM, hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen, and anti-HBe
This assay is not useful for differentiating among acute, chronic, and past or resolved hepatitis B.
This test should not be used as a screening or confirmatory test for blood donor specimens.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Serum SSTOrdering 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 Virus 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 Virus Core Total Antibodies Screen, Serum.
If a hepatitis B core total antibody test that reflexes to hepatitis B virus core IgM is needed, order test CORAB / Hepatitis B Virus Core Total Antibodies, with Reflex to Hepatitis B Virus Core Antibody IgM, Serum.
Necessary Information
Date of collection is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 24 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel (red-top tubes are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.7 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).
2. Aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.6 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 6 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
Negative
Interpretation depends on clinical setting.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
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
86704
Clinical Information
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.
This assay is US Food and Drug Administration-approved for in vitro diagnostic use and not for screening cell, tissue, and blood donors.
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Heat-inactivated specimen | Reject |
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen: