How are the hepatitis B blood tests interpreted?
The following table gives the usual interpretation for sets of results from hepatitis B blood (serological) tests. Most Likely Status* Tests Results Susceptible, not infected, not immune HBsAg anti-HBc anti-HBs negative negative negative Immune due to natural infection HBsAg anti-HBc anti-HBs negative positive positive Immune do to hepatitis B vaccination HBsAg anti-HBc anti-HBS negative negative positive Acutely infected HBsAg anti-HBc IgM anti-HBc anti-HBs positive positive positive negative Chronically infected HBsAg anti-HBc IgM anti-HBc anti-HBs positive positive negative negative *Interpretation of the hepatitis B virus blood tests should always be made by an experienced clinician with knowledge of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and results of the standard liver blood tests.
