Hepatitis B markers
HBsAg ) Hepatitis B surface Antigen)
Becomes positive in the serum within 2 to 6 months of the initial HBV infection *
The first evidence of hepatitis B infection*
( two to eight weeks before ALT and AST elevation)
Establishes infection with HBV*
Implies infectivity *
Persistence after acute illness denotes carrier state and may indicate chronic *
hepatitis infection
(HBeAg (Hepatitis Be Antigen
Denotes viral replication and infectivity *
Persistence 3 months after the acute phase suggests chronic infection *
Infection caused by mutant forms of HBV leads to absence of HBeAg in serum
This is where HBV-DNA must be measured to determine infectivity
..HBcAb ..IgM
Detects infectivity during the serological gap( window phase) when the HBsAg
..HBcAb ..total
Anti-HBc total detects both IgG and IgM. Indicates current or past hepatitis B infection. Present during the "window" period of acute hepatitis B infection. Does not indicate recovery or immunity
HBc total can be the only marker that can be detected which indicate previous infection
HBeAb
Appears after HBcAb and implies decreasing infectivity
HBsAb
Denotes recovery from HBV or successful vaccination( in the presence of titer more than 100), but if the titer is less that mean decreasing infectivity
الجمعة 22 أغسطس - 22:03
