Table 2 Interpretation of hepatitis B virus blood tests
From: Chronic Viral Hepatitis in Elite Athletes: Approaches to Risk Assessment, Prevention and Management
HBsAg | Anti-HBc | Anti-HBs | HBeAg | HBV DNA | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 +  |  +  |  −  |  + or  −  |  +  | Recently acquired HBV |
Chronic hepatitis B infection (if persists for ≥ 6 months) | |||||
 −  |  +  |  −  |  −  |  +  | Occult hepatitis B infection from chronic carriers who lose the HBsAg |
Occult hepatitis B infection from chronic carriers with surface antigen mutation | |||||
‘Window period’ of recently acquired HBV | |||||
 −  |  +  |  −  |  −  |  −  | Resolved acute infection |
 −  |  −  |  +  |  −  |  −  | Immunity from vaccination |
 −  |  +  |  +  |  −  |  −  | Immunity from natural infection |
 −  |  −  |  −  |  −  |  −  | No prior exposure to HBV |
No protective antibody response following vaccination | |||||
 −  |  −  |  −  |  −  |  +  | ‘Window period’ of recently acquired HBV |