Skip to content
Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

hepatitis b serology

Interpreting Hepatitis B Serology in 5 Easy steps

Epomedicine, Feb 3, 2017

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

  • Appears during incubation period (1-6 months), 2-7 weeks prior to symptoms.
  • Peaks when the patient is most ill.
  • Becomes undetectable in 3-6 months.
  • Indicates infection – recent or chronic.

Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs or HBsAb)

  • Arises once the acute disease has resolved.
  • Sometimes, not detectable unless until weeks or months after HBsAg has disappeared. This gap is called “window” period.
  • Indicates, immunity (by vaccination or infection).

Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc or HBcAb)

  • Anti-HBc IgM and elevated serum transaminases also appear shortly before the symptom onset.
  • Over the next few months, anti-HBc IgM is replaced with an IgG component.
  • IgM = Recent (Acute) infection
  • IgG = Chronic infection

Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)

  • Shortly after HBsAg appears, HBeAg and HBV DNA can be detected in the serum and are markers of the acute viral replication.
  • Predictor of infectivity.

Hepatitis B e-antibody (anti-HBe or HBeAb)

  • Anti-HBe appears shortly after HBeAg vanishes and indicates subsiding viral activity.
  • Predictor of low infectivity.
hepatitis b serology
Acute Hepatitis B infection – serologic course

 

 

chronic hepatitis b infection - serologic course
chronic hepatitis b infection – serologic course
  HBsAg Anti-HBs Anti-HBc HBeAg Anti-HBe
Never infected (susceptible) – – – – –
Incubation period + (1st to appear) – IgM (shortly before symptom onset) + –
Prodrome, Acute disease + – IgM + +/-
Window period – – IgM +/- +/-
Convalescence (Recovery) – + IgG – +/-
Chronic active hepatitis B + – IgG + –
Chronic non-active hepatitis B + – IgG – +
Immune due to Vaccination – + – – –
Immune due to Natural infection – + IgG – +/-
False positive or infection in remote past – – IgG – –
2 shares
  • Facebook2
  • Twitter
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS Gastrointestinal systemImmunologyMicrobiology

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Development of Pituitary Gland

Jun 15, 2020Jun 15, 2020

The pituitary gland (hypophysis cerebri) is derived from 2 sources. The anterior lobe is an upgrowth of ectoderm from the roof of the stomodeum (primitive buccal cavity), while the posterior lobe is a down growth of neuroectoderm from the diencephalon. 4th week: a diverticulum, Rathke’s pouch, grows upwards from the roof of the stomodeum towards the…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Diacerin : Mnemonic

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023

Diacerin is a DMOAD (Diseases Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug) – D – Diarrhea (not recommended in >65 years – more vulnerable to diarrhea) I – IL-1 Inhibition A – Anthraquinone C – Chondroprotective effects E – Eczema R – Rashes I – Increase in hepatic enzymes (contraindicated in patients with history…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Medical Ethics : Mnemonics

Nov 21, 2020Nov 21, 2020

4 D’s of Medical Negligence Duty Deviation/Dereliction Damage Direct cause 4 Core Principles of Medical Ethics Mnemonic: BAN Justice Beneficence Autonomy Non-maleficence Justice Some even add “Veracity or Truthfulness” and “Confidentiality” to make 6 Ethical Principles. BRAIN of Informed Consent Benefits Risks Alternatives Indications Nature 5 Cs of the Exceptions…

Read More

Comments (2)

  1. Smith says:
    Aug 1, 2017 at 10:08 am

    Dear admin
    I want to ask anti-hbs is 76.61.csbt/ is high or low. Many thanks.

    Reply
  2. Agatha says:
    Jul 23, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    My sister almost died of CHRONIC HEPATITIS B, she suffered rips pain, swollen stomach, tiredness, headache and more as symptoms of the ailment. The hospital said her liver was in danger and they couldn’t help, and out of frustration I went online looking for solution to help my sister, and I came across Dr. Iyabiye’s herbal recommendation, I contacted him and explain in details the medical condition of my sister. I order for the medication and the pains was gone, she was totally cured after the herbal treatment. So, I came back here to testify of his herbal medication. Doctor’s contact: (Whatsapp: +2348072229413 call:+2348158577300) email: [email protected]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pre-clinical (Basic Sciences)

Anatomy

Biochemistry

Community medicine (PSM)

Embryology

Microbiology

Pathology

Pharmacology

Physiology

Clinical Sciences

Anesthesia

Dermatology

Emergency medicine

Forensic

Internal medicine

Gynecology & Obstetrics

Oncology

Ophthalmology

Orthopedics

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Radiology

Surgery

RSS Ask Epomedicine

  • What to study for Clinical examination in Orthopedics?
  • What is the mechanism of AVNRT?

Epomedicine weekly

  • About Epomedicine
  • Contact Us
  • Author Guidelines
  • Submit Article
  • Editorial Board
  • USMLE
  • MRCS
  • Thesis
©2026 Epomedicine | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes