Paper II
2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Markers of hepatitis B virus and lab. diagnosis of hepatitis B infection.

Q35 marksShort Essays

Answer

Markers of Hepatitis B virus (HBV):

  • HBsAg — first marker, indicates current infection (chronic if >6 months); target antigen of the vaccine.
  • Anti-HBs — indicates recovery with immunity, or successful vaccination.
  • IgM anti-HBc — indicates recent/acute infection; key marker during the “window period” (HBsAg cleared, anti-HBs not yet risen).
  • IgG anti-HBc — persists long-term, indicating past/current infection (absent after vaccination).
  • HBeAg — marker of active viral replication and high infectivity.
  • Anti-HBe — appearance generally indicates reduced replication/infectivity (though precore mutants can be an exception).
  • HBV DNA (quantitative PCR) — the most direct marker of active viral replication, used for monitoring disease activity/treatment response.

Laboratory diagnosis of Hepatitis B infection Typical serological patterns:

  • Acute infection: HBsAg+, IgM anti-HBc+, HBeAg+ (usually).
  • Window period: HBsAg negative, anti-HBs not yet positive, IgM anti-HBc positive — the only detectable marker.
  • Chronic infection: HBsAg+ (>6 months), IgG anti-HBc+, HBeAg+/− depending on replicative phase.
  • Resolved infection: HBsAg negative, anti-HBs+, IgG anti-HBc+.
  • Vaccinated (never infected): anti-HBs+ only, anti-HBc negative.

Other methods: liver function tests (ALT/AST) to assess hepatocellular injury; liver biopsy/elastography for assessing fibrosis in chronic infection.

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