HBe antigen

HBe antigen

Clinical significance

The e antigen is a structural protein derivative of HBcAg antigenicity that builds the core of the virus. It is detected in the early phase of infection about 7-14 days after the appearance of HBs surface antigen and disappears earlier than HBs during the recovery period. If it persists for more than 3-4 months it may indicate chronic infection. Titers of both antigensów increase rapidly during the replication phase of the virus in acute infection. During the acute phase, seroconversion occurs, in which the antigen disappears and anti-HBeAg antibodies begin to appear, indicating a healing process and associated with a decrease in infectivity. A negative HBe antigen test result may indicate an early phase of acute infection before the peak of viral replication or an early period of recovery, when the antigen concentration falls below detectable values.

Patient preparation

no special requirements

Material: Serum

Interventions

strong hemolysis,incomplete clotting and presence of fibrin in prós in patients treated with heparin (prós should be collected before drug administration),lipemia (prós iridescent or cloudy)