Hepatitis B Test: Serum HBeAg
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In the norm of HB e Ag in serum is absent.
HB e Ag can be detected in the serum of most patients with acute viral hepatitis B. It usually disappears from the blood before HB s Ag. A high level of HB e Ag in the first weeks of the disease or finding it for 8 weeks or more gives reason to suspect a chronic infection. This antigen is often found in chronic active hepatitis of viral etiology. A special interest in the definition of HB e Ag is due to the fact that its detection characterizes the active replicative phase of the infectious process. It was found that high HB e Ag titres correspond to high DNA polymerase activity and characterize active replication of the virus. The presence of HB e Ag in the blood indicates its high infectivity, that is, the presence of the active active infection of hepatitis B in the body, HB e Ag is detected only in the presence of HB s Ag in the blood . Patients with chronic active hepatitis antiviral drugs are prescribed only when HB e Ag is detected in the blood .
The presence of HB e Ag indicates the continuing replication of the virus and the infectivity of the patient. HB e Ag is a marker of the acute phase and replication of HBV.
The blood test for the presence of HB e Ag is carried out for the following purposes:
- Diagnosis of the incubation period of viral hepatitis B;
- diagnostics of the prodromal period of viral hepatitis B;
- Diagnosis of an acute period of viral hepatitis B;
- diagnosis of chronic persistent viral hepatitis B.
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