HBc IgM and HBsAg are not the only hepatitis markers used by the laboratory but they are the two HBV components found on the acute hepatitis panel. There are four result possibilities that can be seen with these two markers. The list below correlates the observable results with the most likely diagnosis:
- HBsAg and HBc IgM are both negative: The patient is negative for HBV
- HBsAg and HBc IgM are both positive: The patient has acute HBV
- HBsAg is positive or indeterminant, HBc IgM is negative: The patient likely has chronic HBV
- HBsAg is negative and HBc IgM is positive: This is an unlikely scenario but may indicate the patient is in the early stages of recovery
