Anti-HBc
Anti-HBc (anti-hepatitis B core) is an antibody that is produced by the immune system in response to the core antigen of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of anti-HBc in the blood indicates a past or ongoing infection with HBV.
Types of Anti-HBc[edit | edit source]
There are two types of anti-HBc antibodies:
- IgM anti-HBc: This type of antibody appears shortly after infection and indicates an acute or recent HBV infection.
- IgG anti-HBc: This antibody appears later and persists for life, indicating a past or chronic HBV infection.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The detection of anti-HBc is crucial in the diagnosis and management of HBV infections. It is often used in conjunction with other markers such as HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) and anti-HBs (antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen) to determine the stage of infection and immunity status.
Acute Hepatitis B[edit | edit source]
In acute HBV infection, both IgM anti-HBc and HBsAg are typically present. The presence of IgM anti-HBc is a marker of recent infection.
Chronic Hepatitis B[edit | edit source]
In chronic HBV infection, IgG anti-HBc is present along with HBsAg. The absence of IgM anti-HBc helps differentiate chronic infection from acute infection.
Resolved Hepatitis B[edit | edit source]
In individuals who have recovered from HBV infection, IgG anti-HBc and anti-HBs are present, while HBsAg is absent. This indicates immunity due to past infection.
Occult Hepatitis B[edit | edit source]
Occult HBV infection is characterized by the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (and sometimes in the blood) without detectable HBsAg. In such cases, anti-HBc may be the only serological marker of infection.
Testing for Anti-HBc[edit | edit source]
Anti-HBc is detected using serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). These tests are widely used in clinical laboratories to screen for HBV infection.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Hepatitis B virus
- HBsAg
- Anti-HBs
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Hepatitis B surface antigen
- Hepatitis B core antigen
- Hepatitis B e antigen
- Hepatitis B e antibody
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