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Interpretation of the Hepatitis B Panel

Tests Results  Interpretation
HBsAg
anti-HBc
anti-HBs
negative
negative
negative
   
susceptible
  
HBsAg
anti-HBc
anti-HBs
negative
positive
positive
  
 immune due to natural infection
   
HBsAg
anti-HBc
anti-HBs
negative
negative
positive
immune due to hepatitis B vaccination
HBsAg
anti-HBc
IgM anti-HBc
anti-HBs
positive
positive
positive
negative
  
acutely
infected
  
HBsAg
anti-HBc
IgM anti-HBc
anti-HBs
positive
positive
negative
negative
   
chronically
infected
   
HBsAg
anti-HBc
anti-HBs
negative
positive
negative
four
interpretations
possible
*
*  1. May be recovering from acute HBV infection.
    2. May be distantly immune and test not sensitive enough to to detect very low level of anti-HBs in serum.
    3. May be susceptible with a false positive anti-HBc.
    4. May be undetectable level of HBsAg present in the serum and the person is actually a carrier.
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This page last reviewed October 1, 2004

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