- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg): A
serologic marker on the surface of HBV. It can be detected in high
levels in serum during acute or chronic hepatitis. The presence of
HBsAg indicates that the person is infectious. The body normally
produces antibodies to HBsAg as part of the normal immune response
to infection.
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody
(anti-HBs): The presence of anti-HBs is generally
interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from HBV infection.
Anti-HBs also develops in a person who has been successfully
vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- Total Hepatitis B Core Antibody
(anti-HBc): Appears at the onset of symptoms in acute
hepatitis B and persists for life. The presence of anti-HBc
indicates previous or ongoing infection with hepatitis B virus
(HBV) in an undefined time frame.
- Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg): A secreted
product of the nucleocapsid gene of HBV and is found in serum
during acute and chronic hepatitis B. Its presence indicates that
the virus is replicating and the infected individual has high
levels of HBV.
- Hepatitis B e Antibody (HBeAb or
anti-HBe): produced by the immune system temporarily
during acute HBV infection or consistently during or after a burst
in viral replication. Spontaneous conversion from e antigen to e
antibody (a change known as seroconversion) is a predictor of
long-term clearance of HBV in patients undergoing antiviral therapy
and indicates lower levels of HBV.
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG): A
product available for prophylaxis against HBV infection. HBIG is
prepared from plasma containing high titers of anti-HBs and
provides short-term protection (3 - 6 months).
- IgM Antibody to Hepatits B Core Antigen (IgM
anti-HBc): Positivity indicates recent infection with
HBV (≤6 mos). Its presence indicates acute infection.
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