Determination of hepatitis B virus HBeAg in blood serum by ELISA method (HBeAg)

A marker of active replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and high blood infectivity.

HBeAd (infection antigen) is a core protein encoded by the same gene as HBcogeAd. It is found in the blood during the period of viremia, in parallel with HBsAg, starting from the end of the incubation period. In this period, HBV-DNA is detected with high probability by PCR. The probability of infection of a healthy person when ingested with HBeAd "+" blood is ten times higher than if seroconversion occurred, HBeAg disappeared and was replaced by anti-HBe. It circulates in the blood for a short time, less than HBsAg, disappears by the end of the jaundice period (by about 9 weeks from the onset of the disease). The circulation of the infection antigen for 2 months or more is a sign of chronic hepatitis B. Thus, this indicator may serve as a marker of infectiousness of chronic HBsAg carriers. In chronic HBV with high replicative activity, it is possible to detect it within several years. This antigen circulates only in the presence of HBsAg, so it is advisable to examine specifically HBsAg-positive serums.