Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

HEAG
8311
remains detectable for several years after recovery from acute infection. In hepatitis B virus (HBV)
carriers and in patients with chronic hepatitis B, positive anti-HBe results usually indicate inactivity of the
virus and low infectivity of the patients. Positive anti-HBe results in the presence of detectable HBV DNA
in serum indicate active viral replication. See HBV Infection-Diagnostic Approach and Management
Algorithm and Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profile in Special Instructions. Also see The Laboratory
Approach to the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Hepatitis B Infection in Publications.
Useful For: Determining infectivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers Monitoring infection status of
chronically HBV-infected patients Monitoring serologic response of chronically HBV-infected patients
who are receiving antiviral therapy
Interpretation: Absence of hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen with appearance of HBe antibody is consistent
with loss of hepatitis (HBV) infectivity. Although resolution of chronic HBV infection generally follows
appearance of HBe antibody, the HBV carrier state may persist.
Reference Values:
Negative
See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.
Clinical References: 1. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B
virus. Clin Liver Dis 2004;8:267-281 2. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and
monitoring of treatment. J Clin Virol 2001 Jun;21(3):229-237
Hepatitis Be Antigen and Hepatitis Be Antibody, Serum
Clinical Information: Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) is found in the early phase of hepatitis B
infection soon after hepatitis Bs antigen becomes detectable. Serum levels of both antigens rise rapidly
during the period of viral replication. The presence of HBeAg correlates with hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infectivity, the number of viral Dane particles, the presence of core antigen in the nucleus of the
hepatocyte, and presence of viral DNA polymerase in serum. During recovery from acute hepatitis B,
after HBeAg level declines and becomes undetectable, HBe antibody (anti-HBe) appears in the serum.
Anti-HBe usually remains detectable for several years after recovery from acute infection. In HBV
carriers and chronic hepatitis B patients, positive HBeAg results usually indicate presence of active HBV
replication and high infectivity. A negative HBeAg result indicates very minimal or lack of HBV
replication. Positive anti-HBe results usually indicate inactivity of the virus and low infectivity. Positive
anti-HBe results in the presence of detectable HBV DNA in serum indicate active viral replication in
these patients.
Useful For: Determining infectivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers Monitoring infection status of
chronically HBV-infected patients Monitoring serologic response of chronically HBV-infected patients
receiving antiviral therapy
Interpretation: Presence of hepatitis Be (HBe) antigen and absence of HBe antibody usually indicate
active hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and high infectivity. Absence of HBe antigen with appearance
of HBe antibody is consistent with loss of HBV infectivity. Although resolution of chronic HBV infection
generally follows appearance of HBe antibody, the HBV carrier state may persist.
Reference Values:
HEPATITIS BE ANTIGEN
Negative
HEPATITIS BE ANTIBODY
Negative
See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.
Clinical References: 1. Servoss JC, Friedman LS: Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B
virus. Clin Liver Dis 2004;8:267-281 2. Badur S, Akgun A: Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and
monitoring of treatment. J Clin Virol 2001 Jun;21(3):229-237
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