Hepatitis B surface Antigen(HBsAg) Confirmatory Test
Hepatitis B surface Antigen(HBsAg) Confirmatory Test
Hepatitis B, characterized by liver inflammation, is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBsAg is a hallmark of an active HBV infection and is detectable in the blood before symptoms appear. Several HBsAg tests are available to screen and diagnose people with acute or chronic hepatitis B infection. While these tests are highly reliable at finding genuine HBV cases, they may sometimes yield false positive results making it difficult for doctors to determine whether the patient really has HBV infection. To solve this issue, doctors often do a follow-up confirmatory test on all HBsAg-positive samples for a definitive Hepatitis B diagnosis.
The Hepatitis B surface Antigen confirmatory test is a neutralization procedure that uses human anti-HBsAg antibodies to confirm the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum or plasma found to be repeatedly reactive (positive) by the initial HBsAg screening tests. This test is usually performed along with the HBsAg ELISA test to confirm the results.
Samples that exhibit successful HBsAg neutralization are regarded as positive for HBsAg
What is the HBsAg Confirmatory Test Used For?
HBsAg confirmatory test is primarily performed
To confirms HBsAg screening results and determines if HBV infection is recent or long-standing
To identify individuals who have HBV infection but do not exhibit symptoms
Symptoms of Hepatitis B
Depending on a person's immune status, hepatitis B symptoms can range from having the virus in the blood for a long time to severe liver damage and failure. Symptoms often include
Fatigue, Nausea & Vomiting
Pain in the upper right corner of the abdomen
Loss of appetite
Dark-colored urine and pale stools
Yellowing of the skin and Eyes (Jaundice)
Joint pain
Preparation for Test
You don't need to fast or do anything specific before taking HBsAg confirmatory test
Interpretation of Test Results
The interpretation of HBsAg confirmatory test results are as  follows:
|
Results |
Interpretation |
|
Percentage of HBsAg neutralization ≥50%  (signal-to-cutoff ratio ≥0.80) |
Confirmed (HBsAg positive) indicates acute or chronic hepatitis B infection or HBV carrier state. |
|
Percentage of HBsAg neutralization <50% (signal-to-cutoff ratio ≥0.8 to ≤100) |
Not confirmed (HBsAg negative) |
|
Percentage of HBsAg neutralization ≥50% Signal- to-cut off ratio <0.80 |
Indeterminate Repeat testing is recommended |
|
Percentage of HBsAg neutralization <50% Signal- to-cut off ratio >100 |
Retest sample after dilution |
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FAQs
What causes false positive results in HBsAg screening test?
In rare instances, false positive reactions in HBsAg screening may occur if the patient has other infections, autoimmune disorders, or kidney failure. Individuals recently vaccinated for hepatitis B may also give a transient positive result for HBsAg
What is meant by a confirmatory test?
A confirming test is a way for your doctor to determine if you have a specific disease or compound inside your body. The sensitivity of confirmatory tests is lower, but they are more accurate
. What does a positive HBsAg confirmatory test result mean?
If you have a positive HBsAg confirmatory test result, it means HBV is actively multiplying within your body and can spread to others via blood or body fluids.
If my HBsAg confirmatory test is negative, do I need to undergo retesting?
If your HBsAg test results are negative, it means the test couldn't detect the antigen in your blood sample, and it's likely that you aren't infected with HBV. However, when there is a strong clinical suspicion, your doctor may recommend repeat testing after a certain period of time to confirm the negative result
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