Hepatitis B Surface Antigen; Quantitative (cmia)

According to WHO, Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. There are five main strains of the Hepatitis virus, referred to as type A, B, C, D and E.

All of these viruses cause liver infection, they differ in their mode of transmission, severity and geographical distribution. Types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. 

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global health problem. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The virus is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposure to sharp instruments. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective.

HBsAg is the most important serum marker for diagnosing HBV infection.

Hepatitis type B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. It is not possible on clinical grounds to differentiate Hepatitis B from Hepatitis caused by other viral agents, hence laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis is essential.

Your doctor will ask you to do this test if, you have symptoms of liver damage:

• Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Dark-coloured urine
• Pale-coloured stool
• Nausea and vomiting

The test may be recommended for individuals who are at higher risk of contracting a Hepatitis B infection. Risk factors include:

1. Use of illegal, injectable drugs
2. Sexual activity with someone who has been infected with Hepatitis B
3. Living in close contact with a Hepatitis B infected person
4. A mother can pass Hepatitis B to a child during pregnancy
5. Receiving unscreened blood. This is less common as blood is actively screened for Hepatitis B before transfusion.

Long-term dialysis

Requirement: There are no special requirement to be taken into consideration before you do the testing.

Reference Value: Results are presented as Positive or negative or “Reactive” or “non-reactive”.

Interpretation of HBsAg test values

A positive result means that you have a Hepatitis B infection. It is possible to be infected by Hepatitis B for many years before symptoms appear and often this is why Hepatitis B is called as the silent killer. In chronic cases, it is possible that Hepatitis B is not cured even after medication for over 6 months and may lead to liver problems.