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HBcAb Positive Hepatitis!

3K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  kenlee 
#1 ·
25 year old man nausea, jaundice, low fever and loss of appetite
has hepatomegaly ALT: 70 AST:50 ALP: 115
panel:
HBsAg:+
HBcAb:+ (does NOT specify IgM or IgG)
HBeAg:+

a. acute hep
b. chronic active hepatitis
c. chronic persistent hepatitis
d. fulminant hepatitis
e. immune

ans: B
why not A or D? HBcAb is not specified as IgM or IgG..how can one tell if it is acute or chronic active?
what is the difference between acute hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis?
 
#6 ·
It is not a well written question...but I definitely agree with this.

HBsAg +: could be acute or chronic
HBeAg +: active viral replication and high transmissibility.
HBcAB +: IgM for acute and IgG for chronic

As mentioned already ALT specifically should be a LOT higher for it to be acute. In chronic these values come down cause now the damage is occuring slowly rather than extensively.
 
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