Hepatitis B Core Antibody - IgM

Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB2220
HBCIGM

Category

Chemistry

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay

Test Performance Schedule

Sunday - Saturday

Result Availability

Within 24 hours

Container

Gold top (SST), Red top (serum), or Green top (lithium heparin) tube

Volume

Pref. Vol.: 1.0 mL serum or plasma
Min. Vol.: 0.5 mL serum or plasma

Collection Instructions

• Routine venipuncture

• Immediately after collection, gently invert tube 5-10 times

• Clot 30 minutes

• Promptly centrifuge 10 minutes

• If no gel barrier is present immediately transfer serum or plasma to a plastic tube and refrigerate

• Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube does not require transfer of serum or plasma to separate tube

Transportation Instructions

Refrigerated

Stability

• Room Temperature: 4 days
• Refrigerated: 5 days

Remarks

Medicare Medical Necessity Policy

Biotin, also referred to as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, can interfere with this test when taken in mega doses of 5mg (5000 mcg) or more. It is often promoted as a skin and hair beauty aid. Please ask your patients to refrain from taking Biotin or supplements containing Biotin for at least 24 hours before collecting specimens for lab testing.

https://biotinfacts.roche.com/

https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/ucm586505.htm

CPT Codes

86705

Effective/Revised

03/30/2017

Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is a non-glycosylated protein (p22) which forms the nucleocapsid (virus core) of the hepatitis B virus. The virus core encloses the HBV-DNA (virus genome) and the DNA-polymerase.

IgM antibodies to HBcAg occur in serum during proliferation of active hepatitis B virus and can still be detected weeks to months after viral proliferation has ceased. High anti-HBc IgM concentrations can be found in acute hepatitis B and in attacks during chronic hepatitis B.

Tests for detecting anti-HBc IgM antibodies are used, in conjunction with HBsAg determinations, to identify acute hepatitis B viral infections. An acute attack of hitherto non-diagnosed chronic hepatitis B clinically resembles an acute hepatitis B infection and cannot be distinguished from this with certainty by determining the anti-HBc IgM. Follow-up studies, imaging procedures and liver biopsies are useful in differentiating between these two clinical pictures.