Table 1: Interpretation of Serologic Patterns for Hepatitis B

Table 1:
Serologic Patterns for Hepatitis B
Clinical Status		Typical Serologic Markers
Immunity	Natural exposure	HBs Ag negative anti-HBc + (or negative if distant in time) anti-HBs +
Immunity	Vaccination	anti-HBs + (anti-Hbc, HBsaAg negative)
Acute Infection		HBs Ag + HBV DNA + (usually) IgM anti-HBc + (anti-HBs negative; HBeAg may be positive or negative, depending on timing)
Chronic Infection		HBs Ag + IgG anti-HBc + anti-HBs negative HBV DNA + (usually)
Key: HBsAg = hepatitis B surface antigen; anti-HBs = hepatitis B surface antibody; anti-HBc=hepatitis B core antibody.