title: Seroepidemiology of viral hepatitis: correlation with clinical findings.
abstract: Antibody to hepatitis A antigen (anti-HA) is detectable in the serum shortly after infection with hepatitis A virus. The presence of IgM antibody indicates acute infection; IgG signifies past infection. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicates infectiousness and is usually present when hepatitis B virus causes active liver disease; its antibody (anti-HBs) is neutralizing and confers immunity. Antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc) is an index of hepatitis B viral replication when present in high titers; in low titers it reflects past infection. Early presence of e antigen (HBeAg) indicates a high degree of infectivity, whereas presence of its antibody (anti-HBe) indicates a lesser degree. Although markers of non-A non-B hepatitis have been described, the definitive nature and number of the virus or viruses are not yet clear.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M