Laboratory Test Guide

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen & Antibody (HBsAg, HBsAb)

General Information

Lab Name

Hepatitis B Surface Ag and Ab

Lab Code

HBSS

Epic Name

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Antibody

Description

A Battery of tests for Hepatitis B virus markers in human sera by the FDA approved Abbott Architect test method:

Quantitative detection of Hepatitis B virus Surface IgG antibody (HBSAb). Results are reported as mIU/mL.
Qualitative detection of Hepatitis B virus Surface Antigen (HBSAg).

Reactive HBSAg tests are confirmed by neutralization assay at no charge. Confirmed positives are reflexed to Hepatitis B Quantitative [HBVQNT] for final confirmation with an additional charge.

For HBSAg testing without reflex testing, see Hepatitis B Surface Antigen without PCR reflex for REACTIVE [HBSAGX].

For ordering individual battery components:

HBSAb, see Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb) [HBSA].

HBSAg, see Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) with reflex to PCR for REACTIVE [HBSAG].

Synonyms

HBV, Hepatitis B Vaccine Screen

Components

Code	Name
HBAG	Hepatitis B Surface Antigen w/Reflex
BSAB	Hepatitis B Surface Ab
IUAB	Hepatitis B Surf Ab Intl Units
IN34	Hepatitis B Surf Ag and Ab Interp

Interpretation

Method

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay

Reference Range

See individual components

Ref. Range Notes

Per manufacture’s package insert protective level of HBSAb is ≥12 mIU/mL.

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

All Locations: 2 tubes required if reflex testing is ordered

Preferred: 5 mL blood in GOLD SST tube plus 5 mL blood in PEARL PPT tube

Also acceptable: 5 mL blood in ORANGE RST or RED TOP tube plus a 5 mL PEARL PPT tube for reflexive testing.

Note: If no PEARL PPT is received, any reflexive molecular testing can be done on GOLD SST, LAVENDER or RED TOP Tube that has not been on automated lines.

Quantity

requested: 1.0 mL serum
minimum: 0.5 mL serum

Processing

GOLD SST tube: Specimens may be stored on or off the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel for up to 3 days at room temperature (15-30°C) or up to 7 days at 2-8°C. If testing will be delayed more than 3 days for specimens stored at room temperature or more than 7 days for specimens stored at 2-8°C, remove serum from the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel and store at -20°C or colder. Avoid more than three freeze/thaw cycles.

PEARL PPT tube: centrifuge within 6 hours of collection and freeze spun PEARL PPT tube at -20°C. Route frozen PEARL tubes to UW SPS -20°C freezer rack 80. [ok to freeze spun pearl top tubes on gel.]

Unacceptable samples: Cord blood, neonatal specimens, cadaver specimens, heat-inactivated specimens, or body fluids such as saliva, urine, amniotic fluid, or pleural fluid. Specimens with obvious microbial contamination or are grossly hemolyzed.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Clinical Virology (CVIR)

Performing Location(s)

Other	Virology, Eastlake 206-685-6656 Virology Laboratory, Ste 320 1616 Eastlake Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102