The AUTOBIO antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) is intended for the quantitative determination of anti-HBc concentration in human serum and plasma.
Hepatitits B is a disease caused by viral infection. The route of infection can be improper needle puncture, blood transfusion or even by taking contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B is an immune disease. Invasion of the human body by Hepatitis B virus induces autoimmune reactions, which damage the liver.
The determination of anti-HBc levels can be sued to examine the progress of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In acute case of Hepatitis B infection, anti-HBc is detectable in the blood shortly after the apperance of HBsAg. HBsAg levels often decline before the appearance of anti-HBs. During this interval between the decline of HBsAg and the rise in anti-HBs, total anti-HBc may be the only reliable marker of HBV infection.
In chronic HBV infections, HBsAg rises during the incubation phase and may persist for years. Anti-HBc also appears during this early phase and reaches high titers which may persist for years. In asymptomatic HBV infections, HBsAg and HBeAg are present only briefly and are quickly followed by the appearance of anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Therefore in such patients. Sometimes the only evidence of an infection may be the detection of Anti-HBs and Anti-HBc.
