Hepatitis B core antigen –IgM Antibodies (HBC-IgM)

IgM antibody to HBc (IgM anti-HBc) rise rapidly in patients with acute infection and persists for several weeks to months. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) will generally also be present as a serological marker of an acute infection, but there are reports of HBsAg being undetectable.

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IgM anti-HBc – a positive blood test result indicates a person has a new acute hepatitis B infection. IgM anti-HBc is generally detectable at the time symptoms appear and declines to sub-detectable levels within 6 - 9 months.

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Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HBcAb or Anti-HBc) – This antibody does not provide any protection or immunity against the hepatitis B virus. A positive or "reactive" test indicates that a person may have been infected with the hepatitis B virus at some point in time.