|
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody General Clinical
Tests
|
Test Name
Method |
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody, Total Anti- HBs, HBsAb
|
Specimen
Requirements |
Serum
Stable for 7 d at RT and indefinitely at 4° C or - 20°C. |
Chemical Interfaces
In Vivo Effects |
None Found
|
Ref. Range
Conventional
International Recommended Units |
Negative
Limits of detection: 2-10 IU/L
|
| Diagnostic Information |
With naturally occurring Hepatitis B infections, anti-HBs usually appears
in the serum several weeks after disappearance of HBsAg. The presence of
of anti-HBs generally means there is protection against Hepatitis B infection.
However, convalescent anti-HBs mall fall below limits of detection. A qualitative
finding of >10 IU/L for post vaccine testing is the accepted concentration
which confers protection. |
| Remarks |
Anti-HBs is now mainly used to assess efficacy of Hepatitis B vaccine
but remains an adjunct test along with anti-HBc for determining whether
subjects have immunity due to a naturally acquired infection or whether chronic
Hepatitis B might exist in an HBsAg negative patient. |
References:
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, third edition.
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