Clinical Information

Hepatitis B core antigen, found in liver cells, does not circulate in the bloodstream. However, IgM and IgG antibodies to the HBcAg can be detected serologically in HBV infected individuals. Anti-HBc IgM is detectable first and remains detectable for approximately six months. Shortly after the IgM response, anti-HBc IgG appears and can remain detectable indefinitely.
The presence of anti-HBc IgM and anti-HBc IgG is characteristic of acute infection, while the presence of anti-HBc IgG without IgM is characteristic of chronic or recovered stages of HBV infection. Anti-HBc Total detects both antibodies. Most often levels of anti-HBc will coincide with detecteable levels of other HBV markers. Rarely, anti-HBc may be the only detectable marker. This may occur during the brief period when hepatitis B surface antigen has been cleared from the bloodstream and before antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen become detectable. For this reason, the ue of the anti-HBc Total assays to detect acute infection is not recommended. It should be used in conjunction with other marker assays to assess current or past exposure to HBV