You’ll notice there is an IgM and an IgG core antibody. The presence of IgM anti-HBc generally indicates an acute HBV infection. IgM anti-HBc is the first antibody to appear when fighting a HBV infection. The presence of IgG anti-HBc generally indicates a chronic HBV infection. Once infected with HBV, IgG anti-HBc will generally persist for life. Oftentimes total hepatitis B core antibody will be referenced because the two tests commonly run in the clinical lab are total hepatitis B core antibody and IgM anti-HBc. Total hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) simply means IgM and IgG anti-HBc. #Diagnosis #HepB #HepatitisB #SerologicTesting #WindowPeriod #Antigens #Antibody #Levels #Serology