antigen antibody

antigen antibody


The virus structure consists of several components: the outer surface (Surface) is surrounded by a membrane, and the inner (Core) contains the central components of the virus. On the surface there is a surface antigen (HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen), and on the inside are the viral genetic factors, HBcAg (Hepatitis B core antigen), and HBeAg complex. Antibodies corresponding to these antigens are also produced as surface antibodies (HBsAb: Hepatitis B surface antibody), HBcAb, and HBeAb, respectively.


The surface antigen that comes mainly from the blood is not the virus itself, but a component that forms the membrane surrounding the virus, and in terms of number, it is about ten thousand times that of the virus. In the blood, HBcAg, unlike surface antigens, does not come out and travels only in the form of a complete virus. The ability of the virus to reproduce and infect others is highly dependent on the presence of HBeAg in the blood.


surface antigen (HBsAg)

Viruses are found in blood, saliva, milk, tears, sweat, bile, urine, semen, and vaginal secretions. Viruses capable of infecting humans are found in blood, semen and saliva.


ㆍ Diagnosis

Surface antigens are of paramount importance in diagnosing infection and transmissibility. 90% of people with the disease have short or long periods of time for this antigen to be positive.


When the virus enters, surface antigens, which are important in the diagnosis of hepatitis, are usually detected in the blood after 3-4 weeks (between 1-12 weeks overall). The amount of surface antigen is proportional to the severity of the infection, and is greatest at the end of the incubation period and the beginning of the acute symptomatic period.


ㆍ Period during which antigen is not detected

It depends on the number of viruses that enter from the time the virus enters the infection until the surface antigens appear in the blood and the disease can be diagnosed with a blood test, the susceptibility or resistance of the infected person to the disease, and many other factors.


Hepatitis, which is infected and cured without causing complications, then gradually diminishes and does not come out of the blood for several weeks after symptoms appear. However, with chronic hepatitis, it will continue to test positive, indicating that the disease will continue.


E antigen (HBeAg)

It provides indirect evidence that the live virus itself is in the blood and serves as the basis for virus multiplication and infectivity. Even a cesarean section does not prevent infection because there is blood on the delivery.


ㆍ Infection rate during childbirth

Even if you are a chronic carrier, it depends on whether you have an E antigen or an E antibody (HBeAb) at the time of delivery.

1. Antigen positivity: The probability of hepatitis in newborns is very high with 80-90%.

2. Antigen and Antibody Negative: The probability of neonatal hepatitis is quite high at 25%.

3. Antigen-negative and antibody-positive: Some scholars claim that there is no possibility of neonatal hepatitis, and some argue that there is about 10%, so it is safe to assume that there is a possibility.


antibody

The first antibody that comes out when infected is IgM HBcAb, that is, an antibody of the IgM family that responds to HBcAg (Hepatitis B core Antigen). It may come out when the surface antigen is positive and you know that the virus has entered, that is, you are infected, but there are no symptoms yet. Shortly thereafter comes the IgG HBcAb, an antibody of the IgG family. These IgG and IgM HBcAbs are released for several years in infected and cured hepatitis patients and continue to be released in high titers in chronic hepatitis patients.


Surface antibodies (HBsAbs) are usually released after the surface antigen is cleared, sometimes weeks or months after the surface antigen is cleared. If the antibody titer is high, the disease also heals quickly. HBeAb may appear several weeks after the HBeAg disappears or symptoms disappear, but can be detected for one to two years.

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