HEPATITIS B VIRUS SEROLOGY

Lab Section Category

Virology View write-up

Test Description

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen QuaLitative (HBsAg)

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen QuaNtitative (qHBsAg)

Antibody to Surface Antigen (anti-HBs)

IgM Antibody to Core Antigen (anti-HBc IgM)

Antibody to Core Antigen (anti-HBc total)

Hepatitis B ‘e’ Antigen (HBeAg)

Antibody to e Antigen (anti-HBe)

Confirmatory Test for HBsAg

Specimen Required

3 mL plain blood for single marker. 6 – 8 mL plain blood for panel of markers.

(a) To diagnose acute hepatitis B infection or the carrier state, send blood for HBsAg QuaLitative and anti-HBc IgM.

(b) To determine immune status following past infection or vaccination, send blood for anti-HBs.

(c) In the case of a carrier, send blood for HBeAg and anti-HBe.

(d) To monitor response to HBV therapy, send blood for HBsAg QuaNtitative.

Storage/Transport

Refrigerate samples if delay in transporting to laboratory is anticipated. Do not freeze.

Method

Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (for all above)

Test Results

HBsAg	Anti-HBs	Anti-HBc IgM	Anti-HBc total	HBeAg	Interpretation
+ or -	<10 mIU/mL	+	+	+ or -	Acute Hepatitis B
+	<10 or ≥ 10 mIU/mL	-	+	+ or -	Hep B carrier
-	≥ 10 mIU/mL	-	+	-	Past Infection*
-	≥ 10 mIU/mL	-	-	-	Vaccination*

* An anti-HBs antibody level >10 mIU/mL is considered to be protective.

Turnaround Time

HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg or anti-HBe: <1 – 2 days

Confirmatory HBsAg or HBsAg QuaNtitative: <1 – 7 days

Day(s) Test Set up

HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg and anti-HBe: Monday – Saturday

Confirmatory HBsAg and qHBsAg: Wednesday (except Public Holidays)

Change History Notes

16 Jan 2024 12:00 AM

Change in TAT for anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg and anti-HBe.
02 May 2018 05:35 PM

Consolidated the TAT and the day test set up.
23 Nov 2015 03:00 PM

Change of Test Setup and TAT for Anti-HBc total (ie., Monday-Friday to Monday-Saturday and <1-3 days to <1-2 days, respectively).

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Last Updated - 13 Jun 2025