HBsAg

Test ID:

706614

CPT code:

87350

Synonyms:

HBeAg
Hepatitis Be Antigen

Clinical Use:

The HBe assay is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B viral infections, when used in conjunction with results from other HBV marker assays.

Test Information:

HBeAg appears in acute B hepatitis with or shortly after HBsAg, when the patient is most infectious. HBeAg is found only in HBsAg-positive sera. During the HBeAg-positive state, usually three to six weeks, hepatitis B patients are at increased risk of transmitting the virus to their contacts, including babies born during this period. Exposure to serum or body fluid positive for HBeAg and HBsAg is associated with three to five times greater risk of infectivity than when HBsAg positivity occurs alone. Persistence of HBeAg is associated with chronic liver disease.

Specimen Type:

Serum or plasma

Requested Volume:

1.5mL

Minimum Volume:

0.6 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container Type:

Gel-barrier tube or lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Patient Preparation:

This test may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R). It is recommended to ask all patients who may be indicated for this test about biotin supplementation. Patients should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample.