Question

The decline in HBsAg and HBeAg, the persistence of anti-HBc, the appearance and the detection of anti-HBe indicate:

1. Early acute HBV hepatitis

2. Early convalescence phase HBV hepatitis

3. Recovery phase of acute HBV hepatitis

4. Carrier state of acute HV hepatitis

Answer 1

Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is a small polypeptide that exists in a free form in the serum of individuals during the early phase of hepatitis B infection, soon after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) becomes detectable. Serum levels of both HBeAg and HBsAg rise rapidly during the period of viral replication. The presence of HBeAg in serum correlates with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectivity, the number of infectious virions, and the presence of HBV core antigen in the infected hepatocytes.

During recovery from acute hepatitis B, HBeAg level declines and becomes undetectable in the serum, while hepatitis B e-antibody (anti-HBe) appears and becomes detectable in the serum. Anti-HBe usually remains detectable for many years after recovery from acute HBV infection.

Hence the answer is Recovery phase of acute HBV hepatitis