Hepatitis B Core Antibody Reactive

I recently attempted to donate blood however, I received a letter from the blood center saying that I tested positive/reactive to Hepatitis B Core Antibody, but negative for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.  However, three years ago before entering college I received the set of three immunizations against Hepatitis.  I was wondering if you could tell me what having tested reactive for the Hepatitis B Core Antibody means and how this could have happened if I was immunized.  
Thank You,
Chris

[stevenNYer]

Positve core antibody could indicate a past or present infection.  If your surface antigen is negative, then it likely means a past infection.  Which would then mean, you were probably immuned thanks to clearance of a prior infection (even before your vaccination).  

[Zang]

If you test postive for Hep B core Antibody  and are immuned, can you still transmit the virus to your sexual partner? Also, are you still at risk for developing chrrosis and/ or cancer of the liver?

[Dimples0522]

I am a mom of 4 kids and I decided to become an egg donor couple of months ago, As I was going through the medical examination process, my Hep. B Core Antibody and Hep. B Surface Antibody says it is REACTIVE.  I am not born and raised here in USA, I am originally from the Philippines, I asked my mother if I was ever vaccinated, but she said she forgets.  Also, I have Psoriasis, 2 yrs ago I injected Enbrel for 6 months and I know that it causes a lot of side effects, could it be from Enbrel or just plainly my mom didn't get me vaccinated?  I hope someone there can help me.  thanks

Cristina

[stevenNYer]

There's a new HepB forum:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/223

Repost your question there.

[simplejarvis]

I read a medical report of my ex-girlfriend and it said she is positive to Hepatitis B core antibody. Hepatisis B core  Total Antibody detected.We last had unprotected sex 07/13/2008. Have not made any tests myself. What do the test result mean to my ex-girlfriend? what do the test mean to me. I am I enfected too? What can I do?

[cajim]

>>>What can I do?

Test your HBsAg and anti-HBs.

- +, you are immune,
- -, you need vaccination,
+ -, you have Hep B.

[euphoria21]

hi is there any possibility that HBsAG can be positive and Anti- HBS is also postive, are there instances like this? pls let me know thanks

[cajim]

See the answer to your other post.

[nonukes]

Hi- I am a nurse. I recently had two needle sticks on different dates. I tested positive for the hep B surface antibody and positive for the hep B core antibody. Liver enzymes normal. I recall having been jaundiced and having had hep A twenty years ago. I did not go to Western Med when the Hep A occurred. Bad food - Yucatan, etc,..
So... now do I have Hep B?
or does the test mean I have had it, possibly secondary to the gamma globulin shots- ( vaccine) and that I need not worry about it.
  Are the days of unprotected sex over  if when I again have a sexual partner?

[nonukes]

Here is more data...

HBsAb ( +) possibly secondary to the gamma globulin ...
HBcAb( +)
HBVDNA ( -)
ALT ( -)
AST (-)

Are my days of unprotected sex over?
I understand an infected not infectious...
Is there more I should understand?

I did have a Hep A case in 1989...

How can I transmit this ?
What must I do to not transmit this?

thanks in advance

[cajim]

If you had Hep A before, now you are immune from HAV forever.

You have Hep B because you are HBsAg positive.

If your sex partner is immune to HBV with positive anti-HBs, then you can have unprotected sex.

[Hepatitis Researcher]

nonukes does not have chronic Hepatitis b, since his antibody, not his surface antigen is positive. Since the total core Ab is also positive it means that he has been previously exposed to the whole virus, but developed immunity, most importantly also humoral immunity that will complex any tiny amount of virus that is still produced ( As is the case with most every person that ever had HBV even if " cleared").
From the above info it appears that no extra sexual precautions due to HBV are necessary.
Note that the recent gamma globulin shots could not have caused anti HBSAg positivity if you were a true chronic HBv carrier. It is close to impossible to suppress the surface antigen with external antiHBS AB, the amounts needed to do so are staggering high. Two major trials have tried to achieve this, with gigantic doses and failed.

[cajim]

Thank you very much, HR, for your catching my HBsAg for HBsAb, and your expert information.

[nonukes]

Thank you...

primarily for the news that I do not have chronic hep B...
and for the info regarding... no extra sexual precautions needed..

Here are the #s...  is the above recommendation by you.. still vallid...
sorry I didnt have it earlier... nonukes

Hep b Surface antigen  (-) 10/7
hep b core antibody    ( +) 10/7
Hcv Ab S                   ( -)  10/7

Hep b surface antibody   (+) 10/15
Hep b core antibody        ( +)  10/15
Hep B viral DNA QN, S      < 357
albumin                            4.1
bilirubin                             1.4 ( a bit high)
biillirubin direct                   0.20 mg/dL
AST                                  20
ALT                                  43
Protein                              6.8

[Roberto123]

I being trying to understad what is the diagnosis on having this results with out any success, even with my doctor, i would like to know if you can help us to understand.

My wife is a dentist an she got the hep B vaccine 13 years ago, she stop working as a dentist 9 years ago. a recent hep b tests indicates the following:

anti-hbs = 565.89 miu/ml (antibodies for surface antigen)
pcr for hep b = positive

Doctor never ask for the surface antigen test, but she is telling us that my wife is inffected, she never had any sympton.

AST / ALT are normal, along with bilirrubin and alcaline fosfatasa levels, a fibromax test indicates that liver does not have any demage, but our doctor insist that she is infected because the PCR indicates POSITIVE.

All related lab test are posted in my photo section for support.

Do you think that she is infected with hep B?

[Hepatitis Researcher]

nonukes; the answer is still valid.

roberto:
Depending on the sensitivity of the test used PCR positivity is still possible for some patients even with a seroconverted = protected from internal spread of HBV -  surface antigen. (= "cured")
A direct surface antigen test should still be done in this case, it needs to be negative, chances are that it will. This is now the most important test to be done. If HbSAg  is not negative  we have a scenario where the anti HbS antibody is directed against a different serotype, not protecting/neutralizing the actually infecting strain, , but this is not too likely in this case.

[Roberto123]

thank you so much for your anwer

We will have the hbsag results next week. Since these is the most important test to perform and my doctor recognizing that she and lab are miss understanding the lab test requested, what is the exact name of the hbsag test and what should be the results expected for a positive or for a negative since tests results offer quantitative values?

[Roberto123]

it is a true statement that a positive pcr in some cases is because a very little of virus are present specially in people who got the vaccine like my wife and never will be eliminated ?  

What will need to do if hbsag is NEGATIVE and PCR is positive? Remember that anti-hbs is > 500?

[nonukes]

Hello-

Is there any way you would be willing to validate your experience as
one who knows of Hepatits. Clearly your data to me above was potent.
I am wondering if you could tell me where you do your research and how long you
have been studying it under what context...
If you are more comfortable emailing off this list I can provide that too..
dsexplore1atyahoo----

Thanks so much...

No Nukes!  They are not the answer to the climate issue.
They cost too much
They are not sustainable
They are a threat to public health
Our kids' kids'kids' deserve better


Sorry, once I got that hbv thing outta the way I return my arrogant anti nuke crusader persona.

[nonukes]

My Physician's Assistant corroborated the data offered by Hepatitis researcher...

So - I am extremely grateful...

I had never heard of a hep b case- not contagious, not recurring... but allegedly this is what I am fortunate to have...

Does anyone have any idea how rare/ common it is...?

thanks again for all your help...

[stevenNYer]

It's good that your PA corroborated HR's suggestion / comment.  Otherwise, your PA would be wrong ;)

Some of the regulars here at the HepB and HepC forum, who know HR would tell you he's a true expert.  We are very very fortunate to have HR at these forums.

And as to how rare / common.  It's very common, hundreds of millions at the minimum.

[nonukes]

Hmmpphh So steven you are saying that a hep b that never recurs ... that is of no consequence and that requires no extra protection relative to Hep B is very common.

It is the first such incidence the 6 year PA had come across. He got the information he used ( he had not been informed of what hepatitisresearcher shared with me via the forum) from a gastroenterologist.

I am surprised,,,
I always thought hep B was a recurring...  p.i.t.a....thing..

I feel very lucky, grateful,etc...

thanks

[NashPred]

When an adult contracts HBV, they have a 95% chance of their immune system clearing the virus on its own, developing antibodies, and becoming immune to future infection for life…..just like you did. This is all fairly common. I have heard that anywhere from 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 people who have not been vaccinated will contract HBV at some point in their lifetime.

For the 5% of adults who don’t clear the virus on their own or for children that contract the virus or who were born with the virus…. it becomes a chronic p.i.t.a.

So for 95% of adults who contract HBV, the virus will usually come and go without them ever knowing that they had it. A few may feel symptoms…but most don’t.

Congratulations to you and your immune system for fighting it off.

[Roberto123]

We got the HbsAg and HbeAG results, both were NEGATIVE, any clue of why Qualitative PCR was POSITIVE? She was vaccined 13 years ago and now she has anti-hbs levels of >500 mui

[joe642]

Help with this question please:

If Hep. B surface antigen is ::  NEGATIVE
Hep. B Surface Antibody is :: >1000 (POSITIVE)
Hep. B Core ant. total: POSITIVE

Is this person a carrier?  no infection? immune?

[zellyf]

joe,

Please start a new thread with your question.  Thanks.

[cherry235]

Please HELP:
If you test postive for Hep B CORE Antibody & {NEGATIVE FOR HEP B. SURFACE ANTIGEN & POSITIVE FOR HEP B. SURFACE ANTIBODIES}  and are immuned, can you still transmit the {HEP B CORE ANTIBODIES} to your sexual partner?" Or does this mean immunity, and no transmission of anything?

[bberry]

you were exposed to HBV and cleared it on your own. you dont have HBV and you are immuned to it. no worries for you

[bberry]

sorry,  and no transmitting of anything...

[Barbiedoll222]

Please help me understand these lab results  HBsAG  Neg  Hep B Surf AB 208.0 H HBsAB  Positive Hep B Cor AB Reactive Hep C AB NEG

[apache1]

Barbiedoll222

Thanks, good thread to bring back to the top.
Normally you would start a new thread of your own.

Check out our welcome page, it has a diagnostic matrix, it will help.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153

Looks like you had been exposed to HBV and cleared it and are now immune...this is good.


After reading this whole thread and seeing HR post here, I want to confirm for those here that questioned HR's qualifications.
Make no mistake here, HR is one of a handful of the top Hepatitis researchers in the world and, a top medical doctor as well, and a microbiologist. He helped develop the most sensitive pcr viral load test commercially available to us as patients. NGI <2 iu/ml  hcv,  and NGI 1-2 copies per ml HBV.

Many do not realize how very very fortunate we are to have him here on the HCV and HBV forums. His posts on the HCV forum are truly some of the best explanations of the basic Hepatitis microbiology a laymen could ever expect to get.

I recommend for anyone interested in Hepatitis to do a search and read each of HR's posts in full. Even if you are interested in only HBV, the HCV posts will help explain pcr's and the workings of our immune systems response to Hepatitis and meds.

apache

[betty127]

Please help me get answers for my result,my result says HBsAB, Qual reactive, Anti-HBCore reactive,HAV AB, Total reactive, what does these mean please. Somebody help me.
                                                                    Betty

[cajim]

Betty,

It is best to open your own thread.  But here is the answer:

HBsAB reactive means you are immune to HBV.  If you are HBsAB reactive, don't worry about the rest.  You are safe from HBV.

[Sophia_Lauren]

I am working mom, and a dedicated wife and wanted to get our family protected against HepB that's why I signed up all 3 of us (me, my husband and 4 year old) to get the vaccine.  As a pre-requisite for vaccination, we all underwent the HBSAG test, my husband and son came out non-reactive. I came out reactive.  I had a re-test with the same heart-breaking result. I have never had any sexual partner but my husband as he is my first and only.  How could I have gotten this? Clearly the time line when I got the virus was after I gave birth to my son because he is non-reactive (thank God).  Once my family gets the vaccine, will they be protected from getting it from me? As for me and my husband, can we no longer be intimate or have the 2nd baby we're planning on?  I am confused, heartbroken and shaken. Pls Help.

---Sophia

[Sharp7]

Your family is perfectly safe from you if they have developed antibodies. Have they all been tested for HBsAb?
As for you: you need to get several other tests done. In all likelyhood, you are almost perfectly healthy at the moment, so no immediate worries. But you need to educate yourself. http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153 is a good place to start.

Also, it is considered somewhat rude here if you post your own questions in someone else's unrelated thread. I know you did not mean to be rude... but for your next questions, can you start one thread of your own and ask all your questions there? We will answer you there.

[Roberto123]

Chances are almost ZERO, my wife was tested + for anti-hsbg and - for HSBG, but PCR. Was positive, doctor said that PCR was positive but viral load is undectatable and probavly caused by her hepB vaccine

[DD99]

Core positive and surface negative does indeed mean that there has been an infection in the past. In about 10% of the people infected with Hep B, the body creates its own antibodies and takes care of the virus itself, leaving a core positive. This means that, as you were told, you can never give blood. What it DOES NOT mean; however, is that you are immune. That is simply not true. You CAN get Hep B again if you are exposed.

[stef2011]

In about 10% of the people infected with Hep B, the body creates its own antibodies

no it is not 10% it is 98%, only babies infected at birth gets cronic (chronic) hbv


you can t give blood when you get any viral disease because the viruses are never totally cleared you just get immune control over them abd if you get aids or take steroids or anything that destroys immune system these viruses come back.so to avoid spread of dangerous viral diseases like hbv,hcv, hiv all the blood with cleared or cronic (chronic) infection are not used

[dor138]

hi,,,
im a physical studemt thrapist and i know i got the vaccine as a baby and a booster about 10 years ago.. i was asked to do a hepatitis b antobody test to rule it out and fill some forms.. i got surface ag negative, core ag negative, and surface ab unknown... what does this unknown mean and if i have to take the complete vaccination again or only a booster..
thank you

[stef2011]

and surface ab unknown.

they did not make the test, or used old kits or machines with very poor sensibility....ask for hbsab test by abbott architect it has the highest sensibility

[linda1001953]

I have positive Hep B core Antibody, others are all negative, but the GGT always high and sometimes a liittle bit high ALT. Doctor said, Hep B negative and they said High GGT is due to fatty liver. but I think Hep B viruse is still there, High GGt is due to Hep B, am I right?

[stef2011]

fatty liver makes more damage than hbv....you must resolve fatty liver first (hbv makes damage only to few patients)

when fatty liver is present there is also damage to all organs because cholesterol and inflammation are often present on all body

[Sdayo]

suhail ahmed dayo Pakistan
M.sc(Clinical Microbiology)
Dear all
Hepatitis B vaccine is available after vaccination u should made a test of Hepatitis B Surface antibody if in test result HBS antibody reactive then u r immunized   if test results are non reactive then u may test Hepatitis profile,u should remember that if u r immunized,
Immunization period is only 3 to 5 years,
Thanx & regard
SAD

[Wantsastraightanswer]

I am going a bit crazy, I have been been told during routine testing that I am negative for B surface antigen, B Surface Antibody but postive for Core.

We then did the PCR and it came back negative....these tests were done in the screening for organ donation.  

My primary care physician said it was a false positive which even the Mayo Clinic who did the original test said could occur.
Doctor recommended I receive the vaccination, which I have started.

Transplant team is now telling me they want to understand the results. And I need to see a specialist.

Should I be freaking out again?

[beckman237]

hi all ! Could you explain me, my lab test: HBsAg + ,
Hep B surface Ab 5.37, Hep B Core Ab +  ALT-24 and AST-17
what that mean

Thank you all

[beckman237]

hi all ! Could you explain me, my lab test: HBsAg + ,
Hep B surface Ab 5.37, Hep B Core Ab +  ALT-24 and AST-17
what that mean

Thank you all

[stef2011]

i think you had occult hbv but the problem is machines used in US are very very very old and should not be used especially for screeing because they dont detect all type of hbsag.so in the first test you could have been flase negative hbsag or flase positive hbcab

test for hbeag and hbeab too and check if the machine used are:

Abbott Architect, Siemens Enzygnost HBsAg 6.0 or Roche quantitative Elecsys HBsAg II

check hbvdna with a high sensibility assay able to detect as low as 6iu/ml

after you have rechecked all markers with those machines post again.

[gabba190]

was wondering what this means for my friend and what she needs to do? hepititis (hepatitis) b core anti body positive (HBc) total igm and igG

[concerned_mom64]

my 13 yr old son has had slightly elevated liver enzymes for about 3 years now...doctors have always said just watch it but this lasttime I pushed them to do further testing.  His his HepB core total AB was positive his HepB surface AG and HepB surface AB where both negative.  He was vaccinated for Hep B at birth, 2mos and 6 mos.  Does this mean he has HepB?

[emz_win22]

WAT DOES IT MEAN?

hbsAG +
Anti HBs +

Please ans?

[emz_win22]

your son's hbsag negative result..means no hep b virus..

[dranoel1979]

HELLO.

I have made the test of hepatitis B, and im Reactive 608.84 S/CO.
i know that at least i hve a year that im reactive because one year ago i make the test but i had no answer because of wrong phone call.
i need to know if is serious my situation or not.

thank you in advance.

[dranoel1979]

hello everybody.

i have donated blood 2 month ago and i result positive to hepatitis B.the result was HBsAg Q2 608.84 S/co. i want to know if i have to warry. i have hepatitis B at least from one year ago, because i have made another donation but they make an error with the phone number and i have learn thi thing only 1 month ago.

thank you in advance

[fairchild39]

I was recently stuck with a dirty needle and I was tested for Hepatitis and HIV...the HIV test was negative and the HEP C was negative and the HEP B Surface AG was non reactive but the HEP B Surface AB, QL was reactive. what does this mean????

[Rome70]

It means you have immunity against hbv.

[ken8886]

I donated blood twice and my HBC IGG was positive but my hbs antibody said to be "immuned" and hbs ag was negative. what does this HBC igg positive means? does it mean that I am a hepa b carrier or what? coz im going crazy bout this. the blood bank doesn't want to accept my blood anymore coz of this positive HBC igg

thanks,
ken

[Rome70]

Hbc igg positive means that you were exposed to hbv. To make sure that you have recovered you must test hbsab quantitive and hbv dna.

[ken8886]

you mean that I was just exposed but not infected? im pretty much worried about this.

[Rome70]

I mean that you were infected for sure.

[ken8886]

but why is it that my hbsag is negative?

[Rome70]

It is neg because you either recovered or on the mend or have occult hbv (unlikely event)

When you have recovered you should develop untibodies for HbsAg in good quantity.
But even then you may have cccDNA somewhere that may produce virus in small quantities, to clear cccDNA need a lt of time.

[ken8886]

am I contagious? I mean will I be able to transfer the virus to others?

[ken8886]

will there still be a possibility that my hbc igg will be negative?

[Rome70]

To check if you are contagious you must test test hbv dna, preferably ultra-sensitive test.

Unless hbc igg test was false positive, it will be always positive.