Interpreting the Hepatitis B Serologic Panel

The hepatitis B blood tests are collectively known as the serologic panel. This set of tests can accurately diagnose current and past hepatitis B infection. Since there are a number of markers and at least six interpretations of the various results, determining their meaning can be challenging. To help clarify, here are the six interpretations organized in a table from these hepatitis B markers:

• HBsAg
• anti-HBc (also called HBcAb)
• anti-HBs (also called HBsAb)
• IgM anti-HBc

If you're acutely or chronically infected with hepatitis B, then it's possible for you to spread the virus to others. Follow standard prevention and make sure to protect yourself and others during sexual contact.

_Source:

_{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Hepatitis B Testing and Public Health Management. Accessed August 25, 2009.}

Six Interpretations of the Hepatitis B Serologic Panel

Marker	Result
#1 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Negative
anti-HBc	Negative
anti-HBs	Negative
You're probably susceptible to hepatitis B.
#2 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Negative
anti-HBc	Positive
anti-HBs	Positive
You're probably immune due to natural infection.
#3 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Negative
anti-HBc	Negative
anti-HBs	Positive
You're probably immune due to hepatitis B vaccination.
#4 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Positive
anti-HBc	Positive
IgM anti-HBc	Positive
anti-HBs	Negative
You're probably acutely infected.
#5 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Positive
anti-HBc	Positive
IgM anti-HBc	Negative
anti-HBs	Negative
You're probably chronically infected.
#6 If your tests are:
HBsAg	Negative
anti-HBc	Positive
anti-HBs	Negative
There are a few possibilities, but it's unlikely that you're actively infected with hepatitis B.*

*There are several possibilities, but the most common is a resolved infection. Other possibilities are: false-positive anti-HBc (which would mean that you are not immune to hepatitis B and should consider discussing hepatitis B exposure risks and vaccination with your medical provider); you have a "low level" chronic infection; or you are resolving your acute infection.