Hepatitis B Surface Antigen for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens, Serum
Use
Testing cadaveric and hemolyzed blood specimens for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is useful for diagnosing acute, recent (<6-month duration), or chronic hepatitis B infection and determining chronic hepatitis B carrier status. The test is US FDA-licensed specifically for use with hemolyzed specimens. It serves as a critical serologic marker appearing in serum within 6 to 16 weeks following HBV infection, and its persistence beyond 6 months indicates a chronic carrier state or chronic infection.
Special Instructions
Date of collection is required. All reactive results are confirmed by a neutralization procedure at an additional charge. Specimens are screened using enzyme immunoassay and confirmed using a neutralization step if reactive.
Limitations
This test is not useful during the 'window period' of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, after the disappearance of HBsAg and prior to the appearance of anti-HBs antibody. Performance characteristics are not established for specimens from icteric or lipemic cadavers, or those containing particulate matter. The presence of HBsAg can be transiently positive following recent hepatitis B vaccination.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (EIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 5196-1
Result Turnaround Time
1-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1.5 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer's instructions (e.g., centrifuge within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes). 2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Causes for Rejection
Gross lipemia, Gross icterus
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |