Question
Lab diagnosis of hepatitis B
Q52 marksShort Notes
Answer
Laboratory diagnosis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection relies on serological markers:
- HBsAg — first marker, indicates current infection (chronic if >6 months).
- Anti-HBs — indicates recovery with immunity, or successful vaccination.
- IgM anti-HBc — indicates recent/acute infection; key marker during the “window period.”
- 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.
- HBV DNA (quantitative PCR) — most direct marker of active replication, used for monitoring.
Typical patterns: acute infection — HBsAg+, IgM anti-HBc+; window period — only IgM anti-HBc positive; chronic infection — HBsAg+ (>6 months), IgG anti-HBc+; resolved infection — anti-HBs+, IgG anti-HBc+; vaccinated — anti-HBs+ only.
- 1Viral Hepatitis (Microbiology)
Other Years Asked
- 1A 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
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- 2A 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
- 3An 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.
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- 5A 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.
(2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Essay · 6 marks
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- 18A: Hepatitis B virus is preventable by vaccination.
R: Hepatitis B can be transmitted parenterally.2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)MCQ · 1 mark
- 19Which is the high-risk group for acquiring fulminant hepatitis with Hepatitis E virus.2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)1 mark
- 20Name two hepatitis viruses that are transmitted by Faeco-oral route.2022 February (2019 Scheme)1 mark
