What does the presence of HBeAg indicate?
HBeAg stands for hepatitis B e-antigen.
This antigen is a protein from thehepatitis B virusthat circulates in infected blood when the virus is actively reproducing.
PixelsEffect / Getty Images
If you are HBeAg positive, it means the antigen is present in your blood.
The virus is actively multiplying.
However, it is possible for the virus to keep replicating and for the HBeAG-negative person to require treatment.
They’re likely to require careful monitoring.
If the HBsAG test is positive, the HBeAg test may be done along with other tests.
The ALT focuses on a specific enzyme to assess for liver function.
HBeAg in Chronic Hepatitis B
People with chronic hepatitis B can show seroconversion.
These antigens are attached to the inside and the outside of the virus.
The hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAG) is different.
It’s a protein that the virus manufactures and secretes.
It isn’t circulating while attached to the virus but instead is free in your bloodstream and tissues.
Interestingly, there are strains of hepatitis B virus that don’t produce HBeAg.
People who acquire the infection in the Middle East and Asia may have one of these strains.
In this case, a negative HBeAg test has little meaning.
They can have an active Hepatitis B infection without a positive HBeAg test.
2021;18(1):235. doi: 10.1186/s12985-021-01706-w
American Association for Clinical Chemistry.Hepatitis B testing.
