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What Do The Following Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 9 Dec 2016

Question: I have got following report:
Hepatitis b surface antigen -->non reactive

Hepatitis B CORE AB total -->reactive

Hepatitis B core AB Igm --> negative

First two tests after 17 days of possible exposure and last one is after 15 days of possible exposure. What does this test result mean? I was vaccinated for hepatitis b around 20 years ago. Please let me know

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

I would like to know what you do mean by "Exposure".
Did you receive all the three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine ?
Did you check your Anti HBs titer ? What was the titer ?

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (14 minutes later)

Hi ,

I had a sexual encounter(protected) with a commercial sex worker.I think I had all three shots but that is 20 years ago.anti hb titer is scheduled for tomorrow. I wanted to know what are the chances of infection based on current information.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the additional information.

Since you had only protected sex, it is unlikely that you would have acquired infectio due to that act. Moreover the hepatitis B status of the sex worker is also not known.

Three shots of Hepatitis B gives complete protection against Hepatitis B infection. The protective antibody titer should be above 10 U/L. Since it is more than 20 years, it is possible that the titer would have dropped down but not necessarily. Checking the anti HBs titer would help to know whether it is above the protective level. If it is below it, you may need one booster dose. It is also said that exposure to the infection itself may act as a booster.

The only antibody that can be detected after vaccination is anti HBs.
But you have anti HBc Total also. This indicates past infection probably before you got vaccinated.

The Anti HBc IgM is negative which indicates -
You are not exposed to the infection in the recent past (at least 6 months).

So the inference -

1. You have been exposed to hepatitis B infection long ago ( even before you got vaccinated).

2. The anti HBs titer has to be seen to know whether you are protected.

and

3. You recent exposure has not caused the infection

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T