Hepatitis B e Antigen and Hepatitis B e Antibody, Serum – Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog
Mục Lục
Reporting Name
Hepatitis Be Ag and Ab, S
Useful For
Determining the presence or absence of detectable hepatitis B e antigen and 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
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is a small polypeptide that exists in a free form in the serum of individuals during the early phase of hepatitis B infection, soon after HB surface antigen (HBsAg) becomes detectable. Serum levels of both HBeAg and HBsAg rise rapidly during the period of viral replication. The presence of HBeAg in serum correlates with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectivity, the number of infectious virions, and the presence of HBV core antigen in the infected hepatocytes.
During recovery from acute hepatitis B, HBeAg level declines and becomes undetectable in the serum, while hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) appears and becomes detectable in the serum. Anti-HBe usually remains detectable for many years after recovery from acute HBV infection.
In HBV carriers and patients with chronic hepatitis B, positive HBeAg results usually indicate presence of active HBV replication and high infectivity. A negative HBeAg result indicates very minimal or no HBV replication. Positive anti-HBe results usually indicate inactivity of the virus and low infectivity. Positive anti-HBe results in the presence of detectable HBV DNA in serum also indicate active viral replication in these patients.
Interpretation
Presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and absence of HBe antibody (anti-HBe) usually indicate active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and high infectivity.
Absence of HBeAg with appearance of anti-HBe is consistent with loss of 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/9789241549981
5. 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
Ordering Guidance
If ordered with HBVQN / Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA Detection and Quantification by Real-Time PCR, Serum; send separate vials.
Additional Testing Requirements
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: 1.5 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
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type
Temperature
Time
Special Container
Serum SST
Frozen (preferred)
28 days
Refrigerated
7 days
Ambient
24 hours
Reference Values
HEPATITIS Be ANTIGEN:
Negative
HEPATITIS Be ANTIBODY:
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
87350
LOINC Code Information
Test ID
Test Order Name
Order LOINC Value
HEAG
Hepatitis Be Ag and Ab, S
77176-6
Result ID
Test Result Name
Result LOINC Value
EAG
Hepatitis Be Ag, S
13954-3
HEAB
HBe Antibody, S
33463-1
Profile Information
Test ID
Reporting Name
Available Separately
Always Performed
EAG
Hepatitis Be Ag, S
Yes
Yes
HEAB
HBe Antibody, S
Yes
Yes
Special Instructions
- Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles
