During the window period of hepatitis B infection, which marker is detected?

During the window period of hepatitis B infection, HBV DNA is detected. The window period refers to the time after infection when the hepatitis B virus is present in the body but before serological markers associated with the immune response become detectable in the blood.

At this early stage, HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen), which indicates active viral infection, may not be detectable yet due to the immune system’s response ramping up. The presence of HBV DNA signifies viral replication and is crucial for diagnosing the infection when other markers like HBsAg might still be negative or not at detectable levels.

This window period is particularly critical in understanding the timeline of hepatitis B infection and management, as relying solely on serological markers could lead to misdiagnosis. The detection of both HBV DNA and specific antigens/antibodies in various stages of infection helps in appropriately diagnosing and understanding the dynamics of hepatitis B infection.