Which combination of serologic markers is associated with Active Hep B infection?

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Multiple Choice

Which combination of serologic markers is associated with Active Hep B infection?

Active HBV infection is shown when the virus is present and actively replicating, which is most clearly indicated by HBsAg. When the infection is acute and highly infectious, HBeAg is usually present as well, reflecting high viral replication. The presence of anti-HBc IgM marks the acute phase of infection, and anti-HBc total confirms exposure. Putting these together—HBsAg with HBeAg, anti-HBc IgM—points to an acute, actively replicating HBV infection with high infectivity. If HBsAg is negative and anti-HBs is positive, that indicates immunity, not active infection. If only IgM is present, without the other HBV surface and e antigen markers, it doesn’t establish active infection. Anti-HBe positivity alone suggests lower infectivity or a resolving infection rather than active high-level replication.

Active HBV infection is shown when the virus is present and actively replicating, which is most clearly indicated by HBsAg. When the infection is acute and highly infectious, HBeAg is usually present as well, reflecting high viral replication. The presence of anti-HBc IgM marks the acute phase of infection, and anti-HBc total confirms exposure. Putting these together—HBsAg with HBeAg, anti-HBc IgM—points to an acute, actively replicating HBV infection with high infectivity.

If HBsAg is negative and anti-HBs is positive, that indicates immunity, not active infection. If only IgM is present, without the other HBV surface and e antigen markers, it doesn’t establish active infection. Anti-HBe positivity alone suggests lower infectivity or a resolving infection rather than active high-level replication.

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