Question
Serological markers of hepatitis B infection.
Q4 2 marks Short Notes ★ ✓
Answer
Serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection :
HBsAg — the first marker to appear, indicates current infection (acute or chronic, if persisting >6 months); the target antigen of the vaccine.
Anti-HBs — indicates recovery with immunity (natural infection) or successful vaccination .
IgM anti-HBc — indicates recent/acute infection ; a key 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 vaccinated from naturally-infected/recovered individuals).
HBeAg — marker of active viral replication and high infectivity .
Anti-HBe — its 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 to monitor disease activity/treatment response.
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 (never infected) — anti-HBs+ only, anti-HBc negative.
1 Viral Hepatitis (Microbiology)
Other Years Asked
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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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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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