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Hepatitis B Interpretive Guide

Hepatitis B

Last Updated: 25 Jul 2007 Hepatitis Testing Guide

 

Interpretation of the Hepatitis B Tests

Tests Results  Interpretation
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBs
negative
negative
negative
  
Susceptible
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBs
negative
positive
positive
 
 Immune due to natural infection
 
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBs
negative
negative
positive
Immune due to hepatitis B vaccination
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBc, IgM
anti-HBs
positive
positive
positive
negative
 
Acutely
infected
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBc, IgM
anti-HBs
positive
positive
negative
negative
  
Chronically
infected
 
Hep B Surf Ag
anti-HBc, Total
anti-HBs
negative
positive
negative
Four
interpretations
possible *
* Four Interpretations:
  • Might be recovering from acute HBV infection.
  • Might be distantly immune and test not sensitive enough to detect very low level of anti-HBs in serum.
  • Might be susceptible with a false positive anti-HBc.
  • Might be undetectable level of HBsAg present in the serum and the person is actually chronically infected.