Description

Hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) is an antibody produced by the immune system in response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Anti-HBe is one of the markers used in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis B infection.

When a person is infected with HBV, the virus replicates in the liver cells (hepatocytes). During the acute phase of infection, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is produced and detectable in the blood. As the immune system mounts a response to the virus, anti-HBe antibodies begin to appear, marking a transition from the highly infectious phase to a less infectious phase.

The presence of anti-HBe antibodies in the blood usually indicates a lower level of viral replication and reduced infectivity. It’s often associated with the resolution of acute hepatitis B infection or the inactive phase of chronic hepatitis B infection. However, the interpretation of anti-HBe results should be done in conjunction with other markers of hepatitis B infection, such as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), as well as clinical evaluation.

In chronic hepatitis B infection, the presence of anti-HBe antibodies can indicate different stages of the disease, including immune control (inactive carrier state) or spontaneous seroconversion from HBeAg-positive to HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Testing for anti-HBe antibodies is an important component of the overall assessment of hepatitis B infection and helps guide treatment decisions.