Hepatitis B serology🎥
Hepatitis B serology
Introduction
Hepatitis B serology is used to assess a patient’s infection status, infectivity, immunity, and the need for vaccination. It is essential in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of acute and chronic hepatitis B infection.
Key Serological Markers
- HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen)
- Indicates current infection (either acute or chronic).
- Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B surface antibody)
- Indicates immunity, either from past infection or vaccination.
- Anti-HBc IgM (Hepatitis B core antibody – IgM subtype)
- Indicates recent or acute infection.
- Anti-HBc IgG (Hepatitis B core antibody – IgG subtype)
- Indicates past or chronic infection.
- HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen)
- Marker of high viral replication and high infectivity.
- Anti-HBe (Antibody to hepatitis B e antigen)
- Suggests lower infectivity and a host immune response to infection.
- HBV DNA
- Quantifies viral load and is used to assess disease activity and guide antiviral treatment.
Interpation if common serology patterns
| HBsAg | Anti-HBs | Anti-HBc | HBeAg | Anti-HBe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspectible to infections | – | – | – | – | – |
| Immunity due to vaccination | – | + | – | – | – |
| Immunity due to previous infetion | – | + | + | – | +/- |
| Acute infection | + | – | + IgM | + | – |
| Chronic infection with a raised infectivity | + | – | +IgG | – | + |
| Chronic infection with a low infectivity | + | – | + IgG | – | + |