Serum hepatitis B core antibody

Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) is the corresponding antibody to the hepatitis B virus core antigen. It is not a protective antibody, but its presence is one of the indicators of being infected by hepatitis B virus. It includes three types of IgM, IgA, and IgG. IgM type is an important indicator for determining acute hepatitis B. It is the earliest specific antibody that appears in the blood after the body is infected with hepatitis B virus. It usually lasts 3-6 months. If HBcAb-IgM continues to have a high titer, it indicates that hepatitis B has a chronic tendency. If the HBcAb-IgM titer is high in patients with chronic active hepatitis B, it means that the hepatitis B virus is actively replicating in the body, which is one of the indicators of strong infectivity. HBcAb-IgG appears late and is not a protective antibody. Detection of HBcAb-IgG is of epidemiological significance.

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