Evaluation of anti-HBc IgM estimation by radioimmunoassay for anti-HBc on column separated IgM.

Tests for Igm antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM) are useful diagnostic tools in the evaluation of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A method is described for detecting anti-HBc IgM based on application of a commercially available radioimmunoassay for total anti-HBc to column separated serum IgM and the technique is evaluated in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection. Our test is both sensitive and specific for diagnosing acute hepatitis B, although duration of positivity is highly variable. This technique is simple, inexpensive, and might be particularly useful for laboratories performing limited numbers of examinations, or with limited resources. A 45 percent savings in reagent costs is realized in our laboratory.