Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus that is endemic throughout the world. In the initial (acute) phase of infection, antihepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) consist almost entirely of the IgM antibody class and appear shortly after the onset of symptoms. Anti-HBc IgM antibody can be detected in serum and is usually present for up to 6 months after acute HBV infection.
It is useful for detection of IgM-class antibodies to Hepatitis B core antigen as a measure of acute infection.
REACTIVE: Detection of HBc IgM indicates recent, acute infection of less than 6 month’s duration. It may be detectable in chronic carriers when moving from inactive to active HBV replication.
NON-REACTIVE: Excludes a recent, acute infection but does not rule out chronic infection.
