Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Blood Test, Quantitative

A Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Blood Test, Quantitative or HBsAB evaluates possible immunity in individuals who are at increased risks for exposure to Hepatitis B.

Description

Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level is measured to determine if vaccination is needed, or to determine if protective immunity has been achieved following a vaccination regimen.

Keep in mind, presence of anti-HBs in a hep b surface ab is not a definite indicator of recovery from hepatitis B infection nor of immunity from future infection, because there are different serologic subtypes of the hepatitis B virus. It has been reported that a patient can have antibody to one surface antigen type and be acutely infected with a virus of a different subtype, which means the individual may have coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. Tests on individuals who have received blood transfusions or hemophiliacs receiving plasma components may result in false-positives for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. A full Hepatitis B Blood Test Panel can help diagnose susceptibility or immunity to hepatitis B or chronic/acute infection.