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Hepatitis B - Management
Interpretation of hepatitis B serology tests (table)
Table 1. Interpretation of serology tests for hepatitis B.
Test | Acute Hepatitis B | Immunity following infection | Immunity due to vaccination | Chronic Hepatitis B — Active | Chronic Hepatitis B — Inactive Carrier |
|---|
HBsAg | + | – | – | + | + |
Anti-HBs | – | + | + | – | – |
HBeAg | + | – | – | +/– | – |
Anti-HBe | – | +/– | – | +/– | + |
Anti-HBc | + | + | – | + | + |
IgM anti-HBc | + | – | – | – | – |
HBV DNA | + | – | – | + | + (low) |
ALT | Elevated | Normal | Normal | Elevated | Normal |
Abbreviations: ALT, alanine transaminase; HBc, hepatitis B core; HBe, hepatitis B early; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HBV, hepatitis B virus; IgM, immunoglobulin M. |
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