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🧪 Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibody – Total (Anti-HBc Total)

Parameter	Details
Full Name	Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibody – Total (IgM + IgG)
Sample Type	Blood (Serum)
Fasting Required	❌ No
Method	ELISA / CLIA (Enzyme or Chemiluminescence Immunoassay)

🔬 What Is It?

The Anti-HBc Total test detects both IgM and IgG antibodies to the core antigen (HBcAg) of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

IgM appears early (acute/recent infection).
IgG appears later and persists for life, indicating past exposure.
This test does not differentiate between IgM and IgG, but shows overall exposure to the virus.

🧠 Organs Involved

Organ/System	Role
Liver	Target organ of Hepatitis B
Immune System	Produces antibodies in response to HBV infection

🎯 Why Is This Test Done?

Use Case	Purpose
🧪 Detect past or ongoing HBV infection	Especially if HBsAg or Anti-HBs are borderline
❗ Evaluate occult Hepatitis B	In cases of chronic liver disease with unknown cause
💉 Pre-vaccination screening	To determine if immunity is from exposure or vaccine
🩸 Screen blood and organ donors	Prevent HBV transmission in transfusion/organ donation

🧪 Timeline of Appearance

Antibody	When It Appears	Duration
IgM	Early acute infection	Few months
IgG	Later in acute/chronic phase	May persist lifelong

📊 Test Interpretation

Result	Possible Interpretation
Positive	Past or current exposure to HBV
Negative	No exposure to HBV (if Anti-HBs is also negative, not immune)

Note: This test alone does not indicate immunity or whether the infection is active or resolved — it must be interpreted with other HBV markers.

🔬 Recommended Additional Tests

Test	Purpose
HBsAg	Detects current infection
Anti-HBc IgM	Determines acute/recent infection
Anti-HBs	Checks immunity (post-recovery or vaccination)
HBV DNA (PCR)	Measures viral load (confirms infectivity)
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)	Assess liver damage

🧬 HBV Marker Comparison Table

Marker	Indicates
HBsAg	Active infection (acute or chronic)
Anti-HBs	Immunity (from past infection or vaccination)
Anti-HBc IgM	Acute/recent infection
Anti-HBc Total	Past or current infection (IgM and/or IgG)

✅ Summary

Test	Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibody – Total (IgM + IgG)
Sample	Serum (Blood)
Fasting Needed	❌ No
Positive Result Means	Current or past HBV infection (not from vaccine)
Next Steps	Test HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc IgM for full picture

⚠️ Important Points

Vaccinated-only individuals will test positive for Anti-HBs only, but negative for Anti-HBc.
A positive Anti-HBc Total with negative HBsAg and Anti-HBs may indicate:
- Window period
- False positive
- Occult infection (requires HBV DNA testing)

Anti Hepatitis B Core Antibody (AHBc) - Total

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