Hepatitis B antibody
Description
Types of Hepatitis B Antibodies
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (anti-HBs)
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Function: This antibody neutralizes HBV by binding to its surface antigen (HBsAg), providing long-term immunity. It is detectable after recovery from acute infection or successful vaccination .
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Clinical Significance: Positive anti-HBs indicates immunity, either from past infection or vaccination. It is absent in individuals with active or chronic HBV infection .
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Vaccine Response: Vaccination-induced anti-HBs levels decline over time, but most individuals remain immune due to memory cell persistence .
Hepatitis B Core Antibody (anti-HBc)
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Function: Targets the core antigen (HBcAg), which is part of the viral nucleocapsid. It appears early in infection and persists for life .
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Clinical Significance: Anti-HBc IgM indicates recent acute infection (≤6 months), while IgG suggests resolved infection .
Hepatitis B Envelope Antibody (anti-HBe)
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Function: Indicates transition from active to inactive chronic HBV infection. Its presence correlates with lower viral replication .
Serological Interpretation of Hepatitis B Antibodies
| HBsAg | anti-HBs | anti-HBc IgM | anti-HBc IgG | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | Negative | Positive | Negative | Acute Infection |
| Positive | Negative | Negative | Positive | Chronic Infection |
| Negative | Positive | Negative | Positive | Resolved Infection |
| Negative | Positive | Negative | Negative | Immunity (vaccination) |
| Negative | Negative | Negative | Negative | Susceptible |
Clinical Significance
Diagnosis
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Acute Infection: IgM anti-HBc and HBsAg positivity confirm recent infection .
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Chronic Infection: Persistent HBsAg and anti-HBc IgG positivity for ≥6 months .
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Resolved Infection: HBsAg-negative with anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG .
Immunity
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Natural Immunity: Recovered individuals retain anti-HBs for life, though levels may wane .
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Vaccine-Induced Immunity: Anti-HBs alone confirms immunity from vaccination .
Monitoring
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High-Risk Populations: Regular anti-HBs testing is recommended for healthcare workers and immunocompromised individuals .
Research Findings
Antibody Durability
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A longitudinal study of healthcare workers revealed anti-HBs levels decline to <12 mIU/mL in 25% of individuals after 20 years post-vaccination .
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Booster doses restored protective levels in 94% of cases, suggesting robust immune memory .
Influencing Factors
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Vaccination Timing: Neonatal immunization with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 6 hours improves anti-HBs positivity rates .
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Age: Older age at vaccination predicts inadequate anti-HBs responses .
Therapeutic Implications
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which primarily affects the liver. The virus is a significant global health problem, leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Hepatitis B virus has several antigens, including the surface antigens AD and AY, which are crucial for the virus’s infectivity and immune response.
The Hepatitis B virus surface antigens, AD and AY, are variations of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). These antigens are part of the viral envelope and play a critical role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells and evade the immune system. The AD and AY antigens are serotypes, which means they are distinct variations of the surface antigen that can be recognized by different antibodies.
- AD Antigen: This serotype is one of the most common and is prevalent in various parts of the world. It is characterized by specific amino acid sequences that differentiate it from other serotypes.
- AY Antigen: This serotype is also widely distributed and has unique amino acid sequences that distinguish it from the AD antigen. The presence of different serotypes can influence the effectiveness of vaccines and the body’s immune response.
Mouse antibodies are commonly used in research and diagnostic applications due to their specificity and ability to bind to target antigens. The production of mouse antibodies against Hepatitis B surface antigens involves immunizing mice with the antigens and then harvesting the antibodies produced by the mice’s immune system.
- Immunization: Mice are immunized with purified Hepatitis B surface antigens (AD and AY). This process involves injecting the antigens into the mice to stimulate an immune response.
- Antibody Harvesting: After a series of immunizations, the mice produce antibodies specific to the Hepatitis B surface antigens. These antibodies are then collected from the mice’s blood or spleen.
- Purification: The harvested antibodies are purified to remove any non-specific proteins or contaminants. This step ensures that the antibodies are highly specific to the target antigens.
Mouse antibodies against Hepatitis B surface antigens (AD and AY) have several important applications in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics:
- Research: These antibodies are used in various research applications to study the structure, function, and immunogenicity of the Hepatitis B virus. They help researchers understand how the virus interacts with the host immune system and identify potential targets for new therapies.
- Diagnostics: Mouse antibodies are used in diagnostic assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), to detect the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigens in patient samples. These assays are crucial for diagnosing Hepatitis B infection and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
- Therapeutics: In some cases, mouse antibodies can be used as therapeutic agents to neutralize the virus and prevent its spread. These therapeutic antibodies are engineered to enhance their efficacy and reduce potential side effects.
