Hepatitis B test: antibodies to HBSAg (Anti-HBSAg) in the blood
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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HB anti- s serum is normally absent.
Antibodies to the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus - anti-HB- s - is found in the end of acute viral hepatitis B, or (more often) after 3 months from the onset of infection, sometimes later (one year), they are stored for a long time, an average of 5 years. Anti-HB s are not detected immediately after the disappearance of HB s Ag. The duration of the "window" phase varies from several weeks to several months. Antibodies to the surface antigen of viral hepatitis B neutralize the virus, their presence is considered as a sign of immunity. They refer them to the class IgG. The determination of anti-HB s is of great importance for the evaluation of the course of viral hepatitis B and its outcomes, since it characterizes the immune response of a particular patient. This is a reliable criterion for the development of post-infection immunity and recovery. The detection of anti-HB s can serve as a criterion for retrospective diagnosis of hepatitis previously unspecified etiology.
Anti-HB s indicate a previous infection.
The detection of antibodies to HB s plays an important role in determining the contingent for vaccination against hepatitis B virus. According to WHO recommendations, if the level of anti-HB s is less than 10 mIU / L, such persons are shown vaccination against hepatitis B virus, at a level of 10-100 mIU / l vaccination should be postponed for 1 year, at a level of more than 100 mIU / l vaccination is shown after 5-7 years.
The blood test for the presence of antibodies to HB s is carried out for the following purposes:
- diagnosis of viral hepatitis B in the late stage of reconvalescence;
- retrospective diagnosis of advanced hepatitis B;
- diagnosis of anti-HB S- positive chronic viral hepatitis B;
- diagnosis of persistent chronic viral hepatitis B;
- Evaluation of immunity after immunization with vaccine against antiviral hepatitis B.
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