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Test ID: EAG    
Hepatitis Be Antigen, Serum

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

Determining infectivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers

 

Monitoring infection status of chronically HBV-infected patients

 

Monitoring serologic response of chronically HBV-infected patients who are receiving antiviral therapy

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 (HBV) 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.

  

In HBV carriers and patients with chronic hepatitis B, positive HBeAg results usually indicate presence of active HBV replication and high infectivity. A negative HBeAg result indicates very minimal or lack of HBV replication.

 

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

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 (HBe) antigen and absence of HBe antibody usually indicate active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and high infectivity.

 

Absence of HBe antigen with appearance of HBe antibody is consistent with resolution of HBV infectivity.

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

Disappearance of hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen or appearance of HBe antibody in serum does not completely rule out chronic hepatitis B carrier state or infectivity.

 

Performance characteristics of this assay have not been established in patients under the age of 2 or in populations of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients. This assay is not licensed by FDA for testing cord blood samples or screening donors of blood, plasma, human cell or tissue products.

 

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 >61 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