Which test evaluates the presence of antibodies from past or present Hepatitis B infection?

The presence of antibodies in the bloodstream indicates whether a person has been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus. Specifically, the Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Hep B Core AB) test is designed to evaluate the immune response to a previous or current Hepatitis B infection by detecting antibodies against the core antigen of the virus.

When a person is exposed to Hepatitis B, their immune system produces core antibodies as a response to the infection. The presence of these antibodies can help determine whether the infection is acute or chronic. This makes the Hep B Core AB test particularly important for assessing an individual's past infection status, as well as offering insights into their current infection status if combined with other tests.

In contrast, other tests listed serve different purposes: some may detect specific antibody types or assess different phases of the infection, but none provide the same level of relevance for detecting past or present infections as the Hep B Core Antibody test.