Question
Write the serological markers of Hepatitis B virus infection and their significance.
Q8 4 marks Short Answers ★ ✓
Answer
Serological markers of Hepatitis B virus infection and their significance :
HBsAg — first marker to appear; indicates current infection (acute or chronic if >6 months); basis of the vaccine.Anti-HBs — indicates recovery with immunity, or successful vaccination.IgM anti-HBc — indicates recent/acute infection ; the only detectable marker during the “window period” (when HBsAg has cleared but anti-HBs has not yet risen).IgG anti-HBc — persists long-term, indicating past or current infection (absent after vaccination, distinguishing natural infection from vaccine-induced immunity).HBeAg — marker of active viral replication and high infectivity .Anti-HBe — appearance generally indicates reduced replication/infectivity (precore mutants an exception).HBV DNA (quantitative PCR) — the most direct marker of active viral replication, used for monitoring disease activity and treatment response.
Typical patterns : acute infection — HBsAg+, IgM anti-HBc+; window period — only IgM anti-HBc+; chronic infection — HBsAg+ (>6 months), IgG anti-HBc+; resolved infection — anti-HBs+, IgG anti-HBc+; vaccinated — anti-HBs+ only, anti-HBc negative.
1 Viral Hepatitis (Microbiology)
Other Years Asked
1 A 45 years old patient was admitted to the hospital with history of loss of appetite,
malaise and jaundice of one month duration. He also gave history of blood transfusion
in the past. On laboratory examination he was found to be positive for HBsAg.
What is the etiological diagnosis
What are the various clinical features
Discuss various routes of transmission of disease
Describe the laboratory diagnosis of the condition
What are the prophylactic measures of this condition (1+2+2+3+2) 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 10 marks 2 A 30 year old female was brought to the hospital with complaints of loss of weight and appetite of
3 months duration. On examination, she was jaundiced and hepatomegaly present. she gave a history of
blood transfusion in the past. Lab investigation showed she was HBsAg positive. 2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Essay · 10 marks 3 An adult male aged 26 years was suffering from severe anemia due to iron deficiency.
He was given blood transfusions to correct anemia. Two months later, he developed
yellowishness of the sclera and also complained of passing high coloured urine.
Answer the following:
Name the probable etiologic agents.
What are the other modes of transmission of this agent.
How will you proceed with the laboratory diagnosis.
How will you protect the individual from acquiring this infection (2+2+5+1) 2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 10 marks 4 What are the differences between Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis B virus. Describe
various markers of HBV in detail and their applications (3+5) 2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 8 marks 5 A 30-year-old previously healthy woman presented to Medicine OPD with malaise, low-
grade fever, nausea, vomiting, aversion to food, mild itching since one month. Serum
showed elevated levels of AST and ALT and presence of antiHBcIgM.
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