Hepatitis B e Antibody, Serum - Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog

Reporting Name

HBe Antibody, S

Useful For

Determining the presence or absence of detectable hepatitis B e antibody in monitoring infection status of individuals with chronic hepatitis B

Determining infectivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers

Monitoring serologic response of chronically HBV-infected patients receiving antiviral therapy

Clinical Information

During recovery from acute hepatitis B, the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) level declines and becomes undetectable and HBe antibody (anti-HBe) appears in the serum. Anti-HBe usually remains detectable for several years after recovery from acute infection.

In hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and in patients with chronic hepatitis B, positive anti-HBe results usually indicate inactivity of the virus and low infectivity of the patients. Positive anti-HBe results in the presence of detectable HBV DNA in serum indicate active viral replication.

For more information, see the following:

-Hepatitis B: Testing Algorithm for Screening, Diagnosis, and Management

-Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles

Interpretation

Absence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) with appearance of HBe antibody (anti-HBe) is consistent with inactivity of the virus and loss of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectivity.

Although resolution of chronic HBV infection generally follows the appearance of anti-HBe, the HBV carrier state may persist.

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Clinical Reference

1. Bonino F, Piratvisuth T, Brunetto MR, Liaw YF: Diagnostic markers of chronic hepatitis B infection and disease. Antivir Ther. 2010;15(3):35-44

2. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus. Clin Liver Dis. 2004 May;8(2):267-281

3. Terrault NA, Bzowej NH, Chang KM, Hwang JP, Jonas MM, Murad MH: AASLD guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2016 Jan;63(1):261-283

4. WHO Guidelines Development Group: World Health Organization: Guidelines on hepatitis B and C testing. World Health Organization; 2017. Accessed September 9, 2022. Available at www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892415499815. LeFevre ML, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for hepatitis B virus infection in nonpregnant adolescents and adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jul 1;161(1):58-66. doi: 10.7326/M14-1018

6. Jackson K, Locarnini S, Gish R: Diagnostics of hepatitis B virus: Standard of care and investigational. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken). 2018 Aug 22;12(1):5-11. doi: 10.1002/cld.729

7. Coffin CS, Zhou K, Terrault NA: New and old biomarkers for diagnosis and management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jan;156(2):355-368. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.11.037

8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing and public health management of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Updated March 28, 2022. Accessed September 9, 2022. Available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/testingchronic.htm

Method Name

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay

Specimen Type

Serum SST

Additional Testing Requirements

If ordered with HBVQN / Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time PCR, Serum; send separate vials.

Necessary Information

Date of collection is required.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: For 24 hours before specimen collection do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer’s instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type
Temperature
Time
Special Container

Serum SST
Frozen (preferred)
28 days

Refrigerated
7 days

Ambient
24 hours

Reference Values

Negative

See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles.

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer’s instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86707

LOINC Code Information

Test ID
Test Order Name
Order LOINC Value

HEAB
HBe Antibody, S
33463-1

Result ID
Test Result Name
Result LOINC Value