Clinical Information

Virus specific IgM antibody has been detected in most acute viral infections and is a reliable marker for acute viral disease. High levels of IgM anti-HBc have been detected in patients with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and low levels have been detected in some patients with chronic HBV infection. Differentiation of acute and chronic HBV infection based on viral markers such as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), HBe antibody (anti-HBe), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is difficult because most of these markers are seen during both acute and chronic disease.

In cases where these markers are present, acute illness with other agents such as hepatitis C, non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis, and delta hepatitis may confuse the diagnosis. Several studies have demonstrated that IgM anti-HBc is the only specific marker for diagnosis of acute HBV infection.