Hepatitis B virus testing flowchart

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

• A protein of the surface of hepatitis B virus; 

• It can be detected in high levels in serum during acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

• The presence of HBsAg indicates that the person is infectious.

• The body normally produces antibodies to HBsAg as part of normal immune response to infection.

• HBsAg is the antigen used to make hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B surface anti-body(anti-HBs)

• The presence of anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from hepatitis B virus infection.

• Anti-HBs also develops in a person who has been successfully vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Total hepatitis B core antibody(anti-HBc)

• Appears at the onset of symptoms in acute hepatitis B and persists for life.

• The presence of anti-HBc indicates previous or ongoing infection with hepatitis B virus in an undefined time frame

IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen(IgM anti-HBc)

• Positivity indicates recent infection with hepatitis B virus ( < 6 months). Its presence indicates acute infection.

from cdc

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