The ABC's of Hepatitis Assays

HbsAg
Hepatitis B surface antigen.
Rises first in infection.
Indicates acute HBV infection.

HbeAg
Hepatitis B envelope antigen.
Rises first in infection.
Indicates active virus and infectious state.

Anti-Hbe
Hepatitis B envelope antibody.
Rises after core antibodies.
Indicates resolution of infection.

Anti-HBc
Hepatitis B core antibody.
Measures IgG & IgM.
Indicates exposure & can be used to monitor chronic infection.

Anti-HBc, IgM
Hepatitis B core antibody, IgM-specific.
First antibody to appear after infection.
Indicates acute HBV infection.

Anti-HBs
Hepatitis B surface antibody.
Appears months after infection or after HBV vaccine inoculations.
Indicates immunity.

HBV DNA quantitation
Correlates with active virus.
Used to monitor viral load during treatment.

Anti-HCV (Enzyme Immunoassay)
Indicates infection with HCV.
Does not indicate immunity.

Anti-HCV (RIBA, Immunoblot)
Used to confirm anti-HCV EIA screen (above).

HCV RNA, qualitative
Correlates with active virus.
Used to detect HCV in cases where anti-HCV is negative.

HCV RNA, quantitative
Correlates with active virus.
Used to monitor viral load during treatment.

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