A person had undergone the serology for suspected hepatitis B infection. His/Her serology shows the presence of HBs antigen and also IgG anti-HBc along with the presence of anti-HBe, while HBe antigen is negative. Which one of the following diagnoses is the correct interpretation of the serology results?
Chronic hepatitis B infection with low viral replication
The profile is HBsAg positive (ongoing infection), IgG anti-HBc (infection older than 6 months) and HBeAg negative with anti-HBe positive (e-seroconversion). Persistence of HBsAg beyond 6 months defines chronic hepatitis B; HBeAg is the marker of active replication and high infectivity, so its loss with appearance of anti-HBe indicates the low-replicative inactive carrier phase.
Acute (active) hepatitis B would show IgM anti-HBc with HBsAg and usually HBeAg positivity. Chronic infection with active replication requires HBeAg positivity or high HBV DNA, which is absent here. Recovery or vaccination is excluded because HBsAg persists; recovery shows anti-HBs plus anti-HBc, while vaccination shows anti-HBs alone with anti-HBc negative.
Key point: HBsAg = infection; IgM anti-HBc = acute; IgG anti-HBc = chronic/past; HBeAg = high replication and infectivity; isolated anti-HBs = vaccinated.
Important Questions from Infectious Disease Control & Prevention
As per the Open Vial Policy, partially used multidose vials of which of the following vaccines can be used over more than one immunization session?
1. BCG vaccine
2. DPT vaccine
3. Hepatitis B vaccine
4. Measles vaccine
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following statements regarding dengue virus :
1. It has four distinct serotypes.
2. Infection with any one serotype confers lifelong immunity for that virus serotype.
3. Secondary infection with dengue serotype 2 leads to severe form of dengue.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding dengue :
1. The mosquito becomes infective after an extrinsic incubation period of 8-10 days.
2. Once it becomes infective, the mosquito remains infective for life.
3. The genital tract of the mosquito does not get infected.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) :
1. It is transmitted by ticks.
2. It was originally called 'pig disease' because of the association with dead pigs.
3. It was first recognized in Karnataka State.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- In countries with low levels of measles transmission, what should be the appropriate age for starting immuni-zation with measles-containing vaccine (MCV)?
