HBs antigen quantitative

HBs antigen - quantitative

HBs antigen bound to the surface protein of the HBV envelope The earliest serological indicator of active viral Hepatitis B, detected 1-4 weeks before the onset of clinical symptoms or, at the latest, one to two weeks two after their onset.
In most patients, it disappears within 6 months. In 5-10% of patients the antigen remains positive. Survival of the antigen beyond 6 months is indicative of chronic infection.
Recent years have given new importance to the HBsAg antigen. Instead of the use of qualitative determination (positive/negative) work has been carried out work on measuring its concentration (qHBsAg - quantitative HBsAg) Since elimination of HBs antigen is the optimal endpoint of treatment of HBV infection, it is possible to assess the progress of treatment accurately on the basis of monitoring its concentration accurately assess the progress of treatment.
HBs antigen determination is a good marker of disease activity disease activity and response to treatment because of its low correlation with HBV-DNA. It is of great importance when monitoring patients on suppressive therapy, as well as in HBsAg carriers, in whom HBV-DNA whom HBV-DNA is usually undetectable.
A gradual decline in HBsAg levels may indicate a good chance of therapeutic success, while a stable qHBsAg level indicates that modification of treatment is necessary.