Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Hepatitis B serology
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
19th March 2025	Alternative names	core IgM, e markers, Hep B e serology, Hep B serology	core IgM, e markers, Hep B e serology, Hep B serology, HBVL

Hepatitis B serology

Ordering information:

Tests available for: diagnosis of acute Hepatitis B (surface antigen, core IgM); Hep B immune status (surface antibody); Hepatitis B monitoring (viral load, quantitative surface antigen, Hep B "e" antigen/antibody)

Alternate names:

core IgM, e markers, HBVL, Hep B e serology, Hep B serology

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

See below

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Hepatitis B viral load requires a separate dedicated serum tube.

Please request each specific antigen and/or antibody required. Please supply history of illness and history of contacts/variations

Notes:

Incubation period - 1-6 months.

HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)

Occurs 2-6 weeks before onset of symptoms

If HBsAg detected, request HBcIgM (hepatitis B core IgM antibody - usually present at onset of symptoms).

Hepatitis B vaccination

Check HBsAb (Anti-HBs, hepatitis B surface antibody)

Timing: 4 weeks after 3rd vaccination

If negative, consider checking for HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) carriage

Possible hepatitis B ‘carrier’ (chronic hepatitis B infection)

Check HBsAg

If HBsAg detected then check

- HBeAg and HBeAb (Anti-HBe)
- HBV DNA

Glossary:

HBsAg	Hepatitis B surface antigen; Indicates virus present (acute infection or chronic ‘carrier’ state
HBsAb/Anti-HBs	Hepatitis B surface antibody; Immune to Hepatitis B, post-vaccination or post-infection
HBcIgM/Anti-HBcIgM	Hepatitis B core IgM; Recent hepatitis B infection
HBcAb/Anti-HBc	Hepatitis B core antibody; Past hepatitis B infection or chronic infection/’carrier’ if HBsAg + . (If recent infection suspected, request HBcIgM).
HBeAg	Hepatitis B e antigen; Relatively more infectious
HBeAb/Anti-HBe	Hepatitis B e antibody; Less infectious
HBV DNA	Hepatitis B viral DNA; Marker of infectivity, used for planning and monitoring treatment

Frequency:

Daily

Laboratory Use Only

Laboratory Notes:

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B surface antigen	HBSAG	For acute infection
Hepatitis B surface antibody	HBSAB	For vaccination status
Hepatitis B core antibody	HBCORA	For previous Hep B infection
Hepatitis B core IgM	HBCORM	For acute infection
Hepatitis B “e” antigen/antibody	HEPBE	For Hep B monitoring
Hepatitis B viral load	HBVL	For Hep B monitoring

Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Hepatitis B serology

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

Alternative names