HBcAb is produced by your immune system after infection by the hepatitis B virus,
HBcAb can persist for life.
It is a sign that you either have an new, active that is acute hepatitis B infection or that you acquired hepatitis B in the past that chronic
Hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb) appear shortly after the onset of symptoms of hepatitis B infection
Initially, HBcAb consist almost entirely of the IgM class, followed by appearance of HBc IgG
The HBc total antibodies test, detects both IgM and IgG antibodies
It is part of a routine screening panel of tests for hepatitis B. The other tests are also mentioned
If your rest results turn out to be positive, your healthcare provider will order further tests to determine the stage of the infection: acute or chronic
HBcAb is an immune system response to a protein in the core of the virus, and this immune response is only present if you have been infected, rather than immunized against the virus.
Why its needed or why the test is ordered
Tests may be ordered if you have symptoms of hepatitis, ......symtoms are given....u can have a look
such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), fever, fatigue, pale stools, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
This test may be ordered if you are being screened for hepatitis B because you are donating blood or wish to become an organ donor.
People who are part of populations at risk for hepatitis B infection will be screened
Results & Interpretation
Negative HBc total antibody (Ab) test results indicate..... the absence of exposure to hepatitis B virus, absence of recent HBV
No evedence of past/resolved, or chronic HBV
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.
