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Hepatitis B test: total antibodies to HBcAg (Anti-HBc) in the blood
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Anti-HB c in serum is normal.
HB and Ag are found only in the nuclei of hepatocytes. In the blood in a free form, HB c Ag is not detected. The nuclear arrangement of HB with Ag, close to the nucleus of the virus, determines its high immunogenicity. Antibodies to the nuclear antigen HBV appear first among other antibodies associated with viral hepatitis B in the serum of patients with acute and chronic viral hepatitis B, as well as in convalescents.
The general antibodies to HB c Ag are composed of IgM and IgG. Determination of total antibodies can be used for retrospective diagnosis of hepatitis B only, as in 5-10% of patients in the study HB s Ag are negative. In order to establish at what stage of development there is viral hepatitis B, an additional definition of IgM antibodies is necessary. Antibodies of class IgM - a marker of active replication of the virus, that is, acute infection, and antibodies of class IgG - transferred infection.
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