Anti-HBs Antibody and Significance

What sample is needed for Anti-HBs Antibody (ELISA)?

1. The test is done in the serum.
2. How to get a good serum sample: Take 3-5 mL of blood in a disposable syringe or a vacutainer. Keep the syringe for 15 to 30 minutes at 37 °C and then centrifuge for 2 to 4 minutes to get the clear serum.
3. No special preparation is needed.
4. This test can be done on a random sample.

What are the Indications for Anti-HBs Antibody (ELISA)?

1. An anti-HBS antibody test is done to see whether the patient’s immune status has recovered from the infection.
2. This test may be used to screen the population for Hepatitis B prevalence.

How will you discuss the pathophysiology of Anti-HBs Antibody (ELISA)?

1. Hepatitis B virus infection is called serum hepatitis.
2. The HBV incubation period is 5 weeks to 6 months; this is a long incubation period.
3. Patients with Hepatitis B virus infection show hepatitis B surface antigen in the circulation.
4. During recovery, antibodies against these antigens appear in the blood.
5. The patient will be negative for Surface (HBsAg) antigen.
6. The following diagram shows the structure of the HB virus. It has three antigens and three antibodies.
7. HBe-antigen is very infectious.

What is the significance of Anti-HBs Antibody (ELISA)?

1. Anti-HB antibodies are a marker of recovery from Hepatitis B virus infection. When positive, it means that the patient has recovered from the disease.
2. The presence of anti-HBs antibodies indicates immunity to Hepatitis B viral infection.
3. The presence of an antibody (anti-HBs antibody) titer >10 mU/mL without detectable HBs antigen indicates:
   1. Recovery from HBV infection.
   2. Absence of infectivity.
   3. Immunity from future HBV infection.
   4. No need for gamma globulin after exposure to the HBV patient.
   5. Can donate blood.
4. This may occur after a blood transfusion, indicating passive transfer of the antibodies.
5. It is found in 80% of the patients after recovery.
6. After the HBs antigen disappears, anti-HBs antibodies may take several weeks to months to appear in the blood circulation, and this is called the window period (2 to 6 weeks), during which only anti-HBc-IgM is present in the circulation.
7. In the window period, the patient is recovering but still infectious.

 

Note: Please see more details in the Viral hepatitis B.

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