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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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HEPATITIS B CORE ANTIBODY IGM

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2436    Geisinger Epic ID:  17578

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Gold-top (serum separator) microcollection tube
6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL serum; minimum 0.5 mL.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow serum to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum within 2 hours of collection.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Stable 7 days at 2-8°C, 3 months frozen.


Rejection criteria: 

Specimen will be rejected if stability limit is exceeded. Add-ons available only to unopened tube.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Negative.


Additional information: 

Department of Health is notified for PA residents if positive.


CPT code(s):  86705
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Qualitative detection of Immunoglobulin M antibodies to hepatitis B virus core antigen.


Methodology: 
Chemiluminescence Immunoassay
Synonyms: 

Anti-HBC IgM, CORAB-M, HBCAB-IgM, Hepatitis B core antibody IgM, HBCM


Clinical significance: 

IgM titers are useful in the diagnosis of acute HBV infection, even when HBsAg concentrations are below the sensitivity of the diagnostic assay. Anti-HBc IgM may be the only specific marker for the diagnosis of acute HBV infection.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/27/2024

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