hepatitis B e antigen in serum (HBeAg)

Etiology

• hepatitis B infection, acute or chronic

Clinical significance

• HBeAg indicates a stage of disease in which there is ongoing viral replication
• HBeAg(+) patients are more infective than HBsAg(+) chronic hepatitis B carriers who are HBeAg-
• HBeAg disappears during the acute phase of hepatitis B with development of immunity
• HBeAg persists in chronic hepatitis B

More general terms

• hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology
• viral core protein
• infectious agent antigen

Additional terms

• hepatitis B E antigen (HBeAg)
• hepatitis B infection
• hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Component of

• hepatitis B e Ag + e Ab
• hepatitis serology chronic carrier panel