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Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Published in: Medical Microbiology and Immunology 1/2011

01-02-2011 | Review

The underlying mechanisms for the “isolated positivity for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)” serological profile

Author: Robério Amorim de Almeida Pondé

Published in: Medical Microbiology and Immunology | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

During HBV infection, four structural antigen/antibody systems are observed: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs); the pre-S antigens associated with HBsAg particles and their antibodies; the particulate nucleocapsid antigen (HBcAg) and anti-HBc; and an antigen structurally related to HBcAg, namely HBeAg and its antibody (anti-HBe). Through the examination of this antigen–antibodies system, hepatitis B infection is diagnosed and the course of the disorder may be observed. Isolated HBsAg seropositivity is a peculiar serological pattern in HBV infection observed some times in routine laboratory. In most cases is not clear how this profile should be interpreted neither its significance. This pattern, however, may be associated with some clinical and laboratorial situations of great relevance, some of which will be addressed in this article.
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Metadata
Title
The underlying mechanisms for the “isolated positivity for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)” serological profile
Author
Robério Amorim de Almeida Pondé
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Medical Microbiology and Immunology / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0300-8584
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1831
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-010-0160-3

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