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Test ID: EAG
Hepatitis Be Antigen, Serum

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Diagnosis and monitoring of hepatitis B virus infectivity

  

Determining infection status of chronically hepatitis B virus-infected patients

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) is found in the early phase of hepatitis B infection soon after hepatitis Bs antigen becomes detectable. Serum levels of both antigens rise rapidly during the period of viral replication. The presence of HBeAg correlates with hepatitis B virus infectivity, the number of viral Dane particles, the presence of core antigen in the nucleus of the hepatocyte, and presence of viral DNA polymerase in serum.

 

See The Laboratory Approach to the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Hepatitis B Infection in Publications. Also see Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profile and HBV Infection-Diagnostic Approach and Management Algorithm in Special Instructions.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative

See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Presence of hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) usually indicates active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and infectivity.

 

Undetectable HBeAg with appearance of hepatitis Be antibody is consistent with resolution of HBV infectivity.

 

Equivocal HBeAg results indicate borderline levels of HBeAg in serum. Retesting in 1 to 2 months is recommended to determine definitive HBV infection status, if clinically indicated.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Disappearance of hepatitis Be antigen does not completely rule out chronic hepatitis B carrier state and/or infectivity.

 

Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:

-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level >20 mg/dL)

-Grossly lipemic (triglyceride level >3,000 mg/dL)

-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level >100 mg/dL)

-Specimen containing particulate matter

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus. Clin Liver Dis 2004;8:267-281

2. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and monitoring of treatment. J Clin Virol 2001 Jun;21(3):229-237

Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test