Hepatitis B Surface Antibody, Quantitative

Additional Information:

UFHPL Epic order code: LAB21047203

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B virus: A comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States through universal childhood vaccination−Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR. 1991 Nov 22; 40(RR-13):1-25. PubMed 1835756
  • Devine P, Taswell HF, Moore SB, et al. Passively acquired antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. Pitfall in evaluating immunity to hepatitis B viral infections. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1989; 113(5):529-531. PubMed 2712676
  • Edwards MS. Hepatitis B serology−Help in interpretation. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1988; 35(3):503-515 (review). PubMed 3287312
  • Foutch PG, Carey WD, Tabor E, et al. Concomitant hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody in 13 patients. Ann Intern Med. 1983; 99(4):460-463. PubMed 6625377
  • Francis DP, Hadler SC, Thompson SE, et al. The prevention of hepatitis B with vaccine: Report of the Centers for Disease Control Multi-Center Efficacy Trial Among Homosexual Men. Ann Intern Med. 1982; 97(3):362-366. PubMed 6810736
  • Lee HS, Vyas GN. Diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Clin Lab Med. 1987; 7(4):741-757. PubMed 3319367
  • Protection Against Viral Hepatitis. Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 1990; 39(RR-2):1-26. PubMed 2153904
  • Swenson PD, Escobar MR, Carithers RL Jr, et al. Failure of pre-existing antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen to prevent subsequent hepatitis B infection. J Clin Microbiol. 1983; 18(2):305-309. PubMed 6619284

CPT Code(s):

86317

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Serum or plasma

Container/Tube: Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube or lavender-top tube (EDTA)

  • If a tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer the separated serum to a plastic transport tube.

Sample Volume: 1 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL (Repeat testing is not possible with this specimen volume.)

Storage: Refrigerate specimens immediately after collection.

Stability (collection to time of analysis/testing):

  • Ambient: 14 days
  • Refrigerated: 14 days
  • Frozen: 14 days
  • Freeze/Thaw Cycles: Stable (x 3)

Rejection Criteria:

  • Non-EDTA plasma specimen
  • PST gel-barrier tube

Use:

Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level can be measured to determine if vaccination is needed. Following a vaccination regimen, anti-HBs can be measured to determine if protective immunity has been achieved.

Limitations

The presence of anti-HBs is not an absolute indicator of resolved hepatitis infection nor of protection from future infection. Since there are different serologic subtypes of hepatitis B virus, it is possible (and has been reported) for a patient to have antibody to one surface antigen type and to be acutely infected with a virus of a different subtype. Thus, a patient may have coexisting HBsAG and anti-HBs. Transfused individuals or hemophiliacs receiving plasma components may give false-positive tests for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.

Methodology:

Immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA)

Reported:

3 – 5 days

Reference Intervals

  • Inconsistent with immunity: 0.0 − 9.9 mIU/mL
  • Consistent with immunity: > 9.9 mIU/mL