Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb)
The hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) test provides qualitative and quantitative results for hepatitis B utilizing a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) testing method.
Analyte(s)
Hepatitis B surface antibody qualitative and quantitative
Test Code
0310
Testing Location
Testing Department
Serology
Pre-approval Required?
None
Required Forms
BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed via electronic order)
Supply Ordering
Supplies may be requested from your servicing laboratory. Supplies ordered from BPHL should only be used for specimen sent to the BPHL for testing.
Turn Around time
4 business days after receipt at the laboratory
Minimum Volume
At least 2 mL serum
Collection Media
“Tiger” or “yellow” top SST tube
Specimen Sources
Serum
Specimen Labeling
Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB, and the date of collection.
Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order.
Special SPecimen Preparation
Centrifuge the SST within 8 hours of collection.
Storage Conditions
Specimens may be stored for up to 7 days after collection at 2-8° C.
If testing will be delayed more than 7 days after collection, remove serum from the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel and store at -20° C or colder. Avoid more than 3 freeze/thaw cycles.
Packaging and Shipping
Ship in a cooler with ice packs at 2-8° C to be received at the laboratory no more than 7 days from the collection date.
Specimens stored frozen should be shipped frozen to avoid additional freeze/thaw cycles.
unsatisfactory specimen
1) Incorrect source or incorrect collection device was used
2) Specimen was not labeled with 2 unique patient identifiers
3) Information on specimen does not match requisition/test order
4) Grossly hemolyzed
5) Leaked in transit
7) No specimen received with test order
9) Specimen not centrifuged
10) Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
11) Specimens that exceed the storage limitations listed above.
12) Specimens received at 2-8° C and greater than 7 days after collection will be cancelled.
Interferences and Limitations
1) For diagnostic purposes, results should be used in conjunction with patient history and other hepatitis markers for diagnosis of acute and chronic infection.
2) A nonreactive test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to hepatitis B virus.
3) Results obtained may not be used interchangeably with values obtained with different manufacturers’ assay methods.
4) Results from immunosuppressed patients should be interpreted with caution.
5) Assay does not differentiate between vaccines and natural infections.
6) Performance characteristics have not been established for therapeutic monitoring.
7) A reactive anti-HBs result does not exclude co-infection by another hepatitis virus.
Reference Range
Unvaccinated: Nonreactive <8.0 mIU/mL.
Vaccinated: Reactive ≥12.0 mIU/mL
Result Indicator
Nonreactive: <8.00 mIU/mL
Grayzone: ≥8 to <12.0 mIU/mL
Reactive: ≥12.0 mIU/mL to 1000 mIUmL.
If greater, report as >1000 mIU/mL.
Reference lab
None
Reflex testing
None
Additional Information
Nonreactive: individual is considered not immune to HBV infection.
Grayzone: The test was unable to determine if HBs antibodies are present in the specimen. It is recommended that a new specimen be collected for retesting in 2-4 weeks.
The immune status of the individual should be further assessed by considering other factors, such as clinical status, follow-up testing, associated risk factors, and the use of additional diagnostic information.
Reactive: Individual is considered immune to HBV infection