What markers indicate acute hepatitis B infection?

In the context of an acute hepatitis B infection, the presence of HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) and Anti-HBc (antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen) serves as essential markers for diagnosis.

HBsAg is the first serological marker to be detected during an acute infection; it indicates the presence of the virus in the bloodstream and is a key sign of active hepatitis B virus replication. Anti-HBc appears shortly after the onset of HBsAg and indicates that the body is responding to the infection. The combination of these two markers essentially confirms that the infection is recent and active.

While HBV DNA is also relevant in the context of detecting the virus, it is not typically used as a standalone marker for diagnosis, as HBsAg and Anti-HBc provide a more straightforward assessment of an acute infection. Anti-HBs indicates recovery and immunity from the virus, which is not relevant in the context of acute infection. Lastly, Anti-HBe and HBeAg are associated with the immune response and viral replication stages but are less definitive for diagnosing acute infections.