Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test is performed to determine the presence or absence of the active hepatitis B virus. HBeAg signifies hepatitis B e-antigen. It is a protein that can be detected in the blood when you have an active hepatitis B infection. If you are HBeAg positive, the hepatitis B e-antigen is present in your blood, and you can easily pass it to others through your body fluids. Hepatitis B is one of the most serious liver infections in the world caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus attacks and injures your liver.  

What is Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg)Test?

Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test is performed to determine the presence or absence of the active hepatitis B virus. HBeAg signifies hepatitis B e-antigen. It is a protein that can be detected in the blood when you have an active hepatitis B infection. If you are HBeAg positive, the hepatitis B e-antigen is present in your blood, and you can easily pass it to others through your body fluids. Hepatitis B is one of the most serious liver infections in the world caused by the hepatitis B virus. This virus attacks and injures your liver. 

Three hundred million people in the world are living with a hepatitis B infection. Considering the severity of this disease, it is important to carry out the hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg) test so that the disease can be controlled at an earlier stage. The worst thing about this disease is that it is a “silent epidemic,” as most people do not have any signs and symptoms when they are chronically or newly infected. 

Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test is done along with other tests to find out if you have hepatitis B and how contagious it is. 

What is the Purpose of the Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) Test?

Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test is useful in detecting the presence of the active hepatitis B virus. The level of HBsAg (surface antigen) and HBeAg will be high if you’re infected with the hepatitis B virus. This test can also be used to detect the efficacy of hepatitis Be medicines and treatment. Pregnant women undergo screening for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). 

If the HBsAg test result is positive, the doctor may order an HBeAg test, along with other tests like the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test and HBV DNA concentration test for testing the liver function.

What Does Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) Test Diagnose?

Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test can be used for the diagnosis of the active hepatitis B infection. This test detects the number of infectious hepatitis Be virions in your body and the presence of core antigen HBV in your infected liver cells. It is also performed to diagnose whether the infection is chronic or acute in nature. Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) test can also detect an earlier hepatitis B infection. The test results may help your healthcare provider understand whether the infection has been resolved or not. 

Why Do You Need a Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) Test?

You may need a hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg) test to detect the presence of the hepatitis Be virus in your blood or body fluid. Your doctor may ask you to undergo this test in the following situations. 

• If you’re undergoing cancer treatment and show signs of immunosuppression. 

• If you have high alanine aminotransferase level.  

• If you show signs and symptoms of HBV infections like digestive disorders, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.  

• If you’re undergoing the treatment of hepatitis C. 

Pregnant women must undergo the HBsAg test. If the result is positive, the health care professional may order an HBeAg test with other tests like the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test and HBV DNA concentration test for testing the liver function. 

Preparation and Procedure Required for a Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) Test 

You should avoid taking dietary supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin B7 or biotin 72 hours before the hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg) test. The biotin supplements interfere with the test results when the blood sample is collected from a person consuming a high dose of this supplement. You should also follow the instructions of the technician or healthcare provider.  

A hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg) test is quite similar to a typical venipuncture test. During this test, the technician will collect the blood sample from the vein in your arms. They will rub an antiseptic on the area from where the blood will be drawn to avoid any infection. The technician will locate your vein and insert a syringe to collect a small amount of blood. The blood sample will be collected in a vial. Once the blood is drawn, the technician will cover the puncture site with sterile gauze to prevent infection and bleeding. The blood sample will be sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis. 

Understanding a Hepatitis Be Virus Antigen (HBeAg) Test Results 

When the hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg), test is performed as a part of the hepatitis B general test, a negative value indicates either recovery or immunity from hepatitis B, while a positive value indicates the presence of infection. A positive HBeAg test signifies the start of hepatitis B infection, and you must start treatment immediately.

When the hepatitis Be virus antigen (HBeAg) test is conducted as a part of the Hepatitis B virus screening, a negative result means non-replicating chronic hepatitis B, and a positive result indicates the virus replicating chronic hepatitis B.