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Lab Dept:
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Serology
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Test Name:
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HEPATITIS Bc ANTIBODY (ANTI-HBc)
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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HBC
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Synonyms:
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Hepatitis B Core Viral Antibody; Hepatitis B Core IgG/IgM Antibody; Anti-HBC; HBcAb
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CPT Codes:
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86704 – Hepatitis B core antibody (HbcAb); total
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Test Includes:
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Hepatitis Bc Total (IgG and IgM combined) Antibody level.
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Differentiation between acute and chronic hepatitis B infection. Diagnosis of acute hepatitis B infection in the “core window” when HbsAg and anti HBs are negative. Discriminating between HbsAg-positive patients (carriers) whose acute hepatitis is due to HBV infection and those whose acute hepatitis is due to other causes. Because low titer of IgM anti-Hbc can be either absent or present in chronic HBV carriers, IgM anti-HBc assessment is not usually considered useful in diagnosing chronic active or chronic persistent hepatitis B. Not useful for demonstration of immunity to or recovery from hepatitis B viral infection.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Serology - Sendouts
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Referred to:
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Mayo Medical Laboratories (Test# 8347)
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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1 - 2 days, test performed daily.
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Special Instructions:
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This test is not offered as a screening or confirmatory test for blood donor specimens.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Whole blood
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Container:
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Red top tube
Alternate tube: Lavender top (EDTA) tube
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Draw Volume:
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3.0 mL blood
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Processed Volume:
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1.0 mL (Minimum: 0.5 mL) serum/plasma
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Collection:
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Routine venipuncture
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum/plasma from clot within 24 hours. Place serum/plasma aliquot into a screw-capped round bottom plastic vial. Store and ship at frozen temperatures. Forward promptly.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Specimens other than serum or EDTA plasma, hemolysis, lipemia
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Interpretation depends on clinical setting.
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Critical Values:
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N/A
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Limitations:
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A weakly positive anti-HBc test result unaccompanied by other hepatitis B serological markers, elevated liver enzymes, or a history of risk factors may be a false-positive result.
Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics: lipemia, hemolysis, specimens containing particulate matter.
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Methodology:
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Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CIA)
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Contraindications:
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N/A
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References:
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Mayo Medical Laboratories Web Page http://www.mayoreferenceservices.org/mrs/mml/index.asp August 2005
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Updates:
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4/6/2004: Test moved from Memorial Blood Center of Minneapolis to Mayo Medical Laboratories. Test is now an automatic reflex to the IgM specific Anti-HBc.
3/15/2005: Updated test method for Hepatitis Bc IgM antibody. Previously listed as Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA).
8/10/2005: Test no longer reflexes to Hepatitis B Core IgM Specific test when Hepatitis Bc Ab is positive. The IgM specific test must be ordered separately if desiried. Note: Change in methodology previously listed as Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA).
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