Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core IgM antibody - serum or plasma specimen
- Synonyms: anti-HBc IgM, Hepatitis B Virus Core IgM Antibody
- LIS Mnemonic: HBVCOREIGM
Collect
PREFERRED: Serum is the preferred specimen. Collect blood in a 4 ml Gold Serum Separator Tube-Clot Activator & Gel.
REMARK: Plasma is an acceptable alternative specimen. Blood can be collected in plastic tubes containing dipotassium EDTA with or without gel separator, lithium heparin with gel separator, and sodium heparin.
Volume Required
4 ml of blood
Minimum Required
2 ml of blood
Transport
A total of 2-4 ml of blood (for every 2-3 Hepatitis and HIV tests ordered) should be collected.
For the CHOP enterprise, submit blood specimens as soon as possible at room temperature to Central Laboratory Services.
For outside clients, it is recommended that serum or plasma specimens be removed from the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel as soon as possible after collection and before shipping specimens. When shipping serum or plasma specimens, package and label specimens in compliance with applicable state, federal, and international regulations covering the transport of clinical specimens and infectious substances. Specimens may be shipped at 2-8C (wet ice) or frozen (dry ice). Do not exceed the storage time limitations listed under the heading of Stability.
Stability
Serum or plasma specimens should be stored for no longer than 3 days at room temperature or 7 days at 2-8C following specimen collection and separation from clot, red blood cells, or separator gel. If a storage period greater than 7 days is anticipated, serum or plasma should be stored frozen at -20C or colder. No more than 3 freeze-thaw cycles should be performed on any sample prior to testing, and specimens should not be stored in frost-free freezers.
Unacceptable conditions
Do not use serum or plasma specimens that are heat-inactivated, pooled, grossly hemolyzed, or contain obvious microbial contamination. Performance has not been established for the use of cadeveric specimens or the use of boody fluids other than human serum or plasma.
Specimen Handling
Unprocessed blood specimens should routinely be refrigerated at 4C upon arrival in the laboratory. One should remove the serum or plasma from clotted blood, red blood cells, or separator gel as soon as possible to avoid hemolysis. The best results are generally observed for serum or plasma specimens that are clear and nonhemolyzed. Lipemic, icteric, or hemolyzed specimens should be avoided when possible, and specimens with obvious microbial contamination should not be used. Specimens containing unremoved clots, red blood cells, or particulate matter may give inconsistent results and should be clarified by centrifugation before testing.
Days Performed
Monday thru Friday
Reported
Daily
CPT
86705
Methodology
Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay
Disease Information
Utility:
The detection of HBV core IgM is an indicator of acute infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV); can occasionally persist at low levels during chronic infection. IgM antibody to core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) is present at the onset of acute hepatitis B infection and persists for 3-12 months before declining to indetectable levels. A positive test for IgM anti-HBc is diagnostic for acute or recent HBV infection and may be the only marker present in acutely ill neonates and patients with acute fulminant HBV infection who may not have detectable HBsAg.
Interpretation
The presence of HBV core IgM antibody is indicative of a recent acute infection with HBV in persons with signs and symptoms of hepatitis and in persons at risk for HBV infection. A negative result is indicative of no evidence of a recent acute infection with HBV. Does not exclude early acute infection or past infection with HBV. If clinically indicated, please wait 1-2 weeks and submit another specimen for additional HBV core IgM antibody testing. A hepatitis B surface antigen test and HBV core total antibody (IgG & IgM) test may also be ordered on the current and repeat specimens. For diagnostic purposes, IgM anti-HBV reactivity should be correlated with patient history and other hepatitis markers for diagnosis of past or present infection, or vaccination against HBV.
Reference Values
Negative or nonreactive for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core IgM antibody
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