What should you expect from a Hepatitis B test?

What Should You Expect from a Hepatitis B Test?

Introduction

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This article provides insights on what to expect from a Hepatitis B test, including details on different types of tests, preparation guidelines, and interpretation of results.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B primarily affects the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic diseases. It is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids and is a major global health problem.

Types of Hepatitis B Tests

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Test: Detects if you are currently infected. A positive result indicates an ongoing HBV infection.
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (anti-HBs) Test: Indicates recovery and immunity from HBV infection or successful vaccination. A level greater than 10 mIU/mL confirms immunity.
  • Hepatitis B Core Antibody (anti-HBc) Test: Shows previous or ongoing infection with HBV, not present after vaccination.
  • HBV DNA test: Measures the amount of virus in the blood, used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Viral load is often measured in IU/mL.

Preparing for the Test

No special preparation is generally required for a Hepatitis B test. Blood samples are typically collected from a vein in the arm. Inform your healthcare provider of any medications you are taking, as some could affect your test results.

Understanding Test Results

Results from Hepatitis B tests can help determine if you have an active infection, have been vaccinated, or have developed immunity.

  • HBsAg Positive: Signifies an active infection either acute or chronic.
  • Anti-HBs Positive: Indicates immunity due to past infection or vaccination.
  • Anti-HBc Positive: Suggests previous or ongoing infection.
  • HBV DNA Positive: Indicates active replication of the virus, requiring further monitoring and possible treatment.

Company Solutions

Several companies provide testing solutions for Hepatitis B, offering services ranging from laboratory analyses to rapid test kits.

  • Roche Diagnostics: Offers the cobas® HBV Test which provides quantitative nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for HBV DNA.
  • Abbott Laboratories: Supplies the ARCHITECT HBsAg assay, a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen.
  • Bio-Rad Laboratories: Offers the BioPlex 2200 system which can rapidly perform multiple assays including those for HBV markers.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Hepatitis B FAQs for the Public. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Hepatitis B. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802
  3. World Health Organization. (2021). Hepatitis B. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b

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