Infection in its early stages in a patient. Hepatitis B E-Antigen (HBEAG) is detected in the early stages of hepatitis B infection, shortly after the hepatitis B surface antigen. Serum levels of both antigens grow fast as a result of viral replication. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectivity, the number of viral Dane particles, the presence of core antigen in the nucleus of the hepatocyte, and the presence of viral DNA polymerase in serum are all indicators of increased HBeAg in the blood.
In patients with chronic hepatitis B or in HBV carriers positive HBEAG results usually indicate the presence of active HBV replication and high infectivity and a negative HBEAG result indicates very minimal or lack of HBV replication.
Sample Type: Blood
10-12 hours fasting is required. Water is allowed.
