Interpretation of various serological profiles of hepatitis B virus infection.

Serial serum specimens from 149 patients with clinically diagnosed hepatitis were tested for five hepatitis B serological markers: hepatitis B surface antigen and its antibody (anti-HBs); hepatitis B e-antigen and its antibody (anti-HBe); and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The times of appearance, disappearance, and persistence of these markers were used to differentiate various serological profiles obtained from the study. Four distinctive profiles were found to be associated with acute hepatitis B followed by recovery, and three with chronic hepatitis. These serologic profiles were assessed as diagnostic and prognostic guides for clinical management of the disease.