Changes to the hepatitis B case definition

2012

Hepatitis B (acute and chronic) New case definition 2012 Previous case definition

Laboratory criteria

acute cases

At least one of the following three: At least one of the following two:Hepatitis B core IgM (anti-HBc IgM) positive Anti-HBc IgMHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive AND previous negative HBV markers <6 months ago

Hepatitis B nucleic acid (HBV-DNA) positive AND previous negative HBV markers <6 months ago HBV-DNA

Laboratory criteria

chronic cases

At least one of the following two: At least one of the following two:

HBsAg or HBV-DNA positive AND anti-HBc IgM negative HBsAg positive and anti-HBc positive and anti-HBc IgM negative

HBsAg or HBV-DNA positive on two occasions that are 6 months apart HBsAg or HBV-DNA positive on two occasions that are 6 months apart

Laboratory criteria cases of unknown

status

Cannot be classified as acute/chronic but positive results for at least one of the following:

HBsAg Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) HBV-DNA

Case classification

Probable NA Acute only: HBsAg positive and symptoms of acute hepatitis B

Confirmed Laboratory criteria Laboratory criteria

Do not notify Resolved hepatitis: Hepatitis B total core antibody (anti-HBc) positive and HBsAg negative

Immunity following vaccination: Anti-HBc negative and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) positive