New vaccination and eradication strategy
New Vaccine
1. Current vaccine for a infant who infected from the mother can only be treated after the baby born. Our new way of vaccine are trying to give vaccine to a pregnant mother who carrying hepatitis B virus so that the Hep B virus would not infect the baby. Person who is infected will have the HBaAg (surface antigen) which is part of the hepatitis B virus. When the mother receive Hep B vaccine, her body will produce HBsAb or anti-HBs(surface antibody).
As we know that the circulation of mother’s and baby blood was mixed during pregnancy. So, when the mother immune system has developed a defensive antibody against the hepatitis B virus in her body, the blood which has defensive system will bring to the baby. Furthermore, the baby might also have circulating a protective to Hepatitis B virus immune system.
Before we inject the vaccine the mother, we can get fetal tissue sample from the mother’s body also to check the fetal infection condition. Here is the way to get the fetal tissue:
Amniocentesis: it is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis which are able to check for fetal infections. Fetal tissue can get from the amniotic fluid which is extracted from the amnion sac surrounding the fetus.
Then, we can give vaccine to the mother for a certain period of time. After that, we can use the same way to get the fetal tissue again to check for the improvement.
2. Some of the current vaccine for hepatitis B patients was in drugs category. However, this method was always cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms, depression, and headaches. Some pills can even cause several side effects to kidney damage while taking the drug and also resistant to the drug during or after take the drug.
Therefore, it is advised that for those hepatitis B patients who are not in the dangerous or serious level of infection can try to intake some pill which will not cause any serious side effect to them. Modify the structure of the chemical drug design or replace with some advance but not harmful chemical in the vaccine.
However, some advance drugs which bring very good effect for the improvement of infection might lead to liver damage. Therefore, a 2 in 1 drug solution should be introduced to the patients. So, we might combine the chemical which can protect or cure the liver damage in the hepatitis B drug for a better solution. As a conclusion, the hepatitis B patient are able to control the infection of the virus and also protect the liver damage percentage.
Eradication
1. The most effective way to eradicate the virus infection is when a child born, he or she is injected with the vaccine. This is to allow the body to use to the virus and make antibodies against the virus. It is the most effective way because a child born is the earliest time he or she has not induce any of the virus.
2. Other than that, check up always with the doctors. From child to an adult, make duration of 5 years for a checkup for hepatitis B. Add a boost when needed.
3. Then, a team of hepatitis B eradication can be setup to form a moving bus. The team is motile and mobile, it moves to every town and street. They collect the blood sample from the residents, after about 1 week, they will come back to return back the results whether to confirm boost is needed or not. Many of people does not aware or infected because of busyness not and willing to go for checkups. Therefore, with this method, they can get off of hepatitis B in a more easy and effective way. Of course, the prices are cheaper than the doctors you visit because consultation fees are not charged. Somehow, education from schools and parents are essential as well.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
New prevention strategy
New prevention strategy
Prevention:
Most of the time we can avoid ourselves from being infected by following the usual HBV prevention steps when we know the person is infected. If the person is a stranger, we would not know whether should we be cautious or not. Most people are infected because they do not know the person who infected them has the disease. Therefore, we have to find a way to identify if the person is a HBV carrier.
1. A proposition for a new way for prevention of HBV infection by way of identifying the HBV carriers is to provide people with simple, portable and inexpensive test-kits.
How:
These test kits would be able to test bodily secretions, for example blood and saliva, for HBV antigen and HBV antibodies.
Why:
Most people who infect others are not aware that they have the disease. However, not many people are comfortable to go for a test in the hospital or medical lab. This test-kit can be used by people who want a quick, easy and anonymous way to test for the virus. This means more people are able to check if they have the disease quickly and easily. This is particularly helpful for those people who are in a high risk environment such as they are working or having close contact with people they suspect to have the disease. They can ask those suspected to have HBV to take the test to identify those with HBV so the people working with the infected peolpe can take preventive measures to avoid being infected.
2. Another way of helping to identify a potential HBV infected person is to create a HBV identifier wrist-band.This is a electronically controlled device that automatically tests the user’s blood for HBV antigens and antibodies.
How:
The device has a built in pricking and testing mechanism that can identify a person that is infected with HBV. If the person is infected, a red light indicator will be on to identify the person. The pricking mechanism only uses the needles once and then discards them, so the next user wont be infected. This bracelet will have an adjustable band so it can be worn be many people and is water resistant, light-weight, small and hardy.
Why:
This band can be used in a high risk environment by potential HBV carriers. It can be made compulsory for those working in that environment to wear it to allow HBV carriers to be identified easily.
please COMMENT... We need your input, insight, perspectives to increase our knowledge... *& marrkxx ;>
Prevention:
Most of the time we can avoid ourselves from being infected by following the usual HBV prevention steps when we know the person is infected. If the person is a stranger, we would not know whether should we be cautious or not. Most people are infected because they do not know the person who infected them has the disease. Therefore, we have to find a way to identify if the person is a HBV carrier.
1. A proposition for a new way for prevention of HBV infection by way of identifying the HBV carriers is to provide people with simple, portable and inexpensive test-kits.
How:
These test kits would be able to test bodily secretions, for example blood and saliva, for HBV antigen and HBV antibodies.
Why:
Most people who infect others are not aware that they have the disease. However, not many people are comfortable to go for a test in the hospital or medical lab. This test-kit can be used by people who want a quick, easy and anonymous way to test for the virus. This means more people are able to check if they have the disease quickly and easily. This is particularly helpful for those people who are in a high risk environment such as they are working or having close contact with people they suspect to have the disease. They can ask those suspected to have HBV to take the test to identify those with HBV so the people working with the infected peolpe can take preventive measures to avoid being infected.
2. Another way of helping to identify a potential HBV infected person is to create a HBV identifier wrist-band.This is a electronically controlled device that automatically tests the user’s blood for HBV antigens and antibodies.
How:
The device has a built in pricking and testing mechanism that can identify a person that is infected with HBV. If the person is infected, a red light indicator will be on to identify the person. The pricking mechanism only uses the needles once and then discards them, so the next user wont be infected. This bracelet will have an adjustable band so it can be worn be many people and is water resistant, light-weight, small and hardy.
Why:
This band can be used in a high risk environment by potential HBV carriers. It can be made compulsory for those working in that environment to wear it to allow HBV carriers to be identified easily.
please COMMENT... We need your input, insight, perspectives to increase our knowledge... *& marrkxx ;>
HBV Genome
HBV Genome
HBV has a very unique genome. It has both double-stranded and single stranded DNA. This incomplete double-strand DNA is because of incomplete DNA replication. HBV replicates through an RNA intermediate. A strand of HBV DNA is transcribed into an RNA template. This makes a combination of RNA-DNA in the genome.
The DNA complement of the RNA strand is then synthesized. The RNA strand is then removed and replaced with the DNA compliment. However, when HBV virions are produced before all their DNA can be copied, single strand DNA still remains. When virions are assembled earlier (before their DNA replication is complete), more single strand DNA exists.
HBV genome is made up of about 3020-3320 nucloetides for its full length and 1700-2800 nucleotides for its short length strands. The genome codes for the C, X, P, and S genes. Gene C is coding for the virus’s core protein while gene P codes for HBV’s DNA polymerase. Gene S codes for the virus’s surface antigen while gene X codes for an unknown protein.
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HBV has a very unique genome. It has both double-stranded and single stranded DNA. This incomplete double-strand DNA is because of incomplete DNA replication. HBV replicates through an RNA intermediate. A strand of HBV DNA is transcribed into an RNA template. This makes a combination of RNA-DNA in the genome.
The DNA complement of the RNA strand is then synthesized. The RNA strand is then removed and replaced with the DNA compliment. However, when HBV virions are produced before all their DNA can be copied, single strand DNA still remains. When virions are assembled earlier (before their DNA replication is complete), more single strand DNA exists.
HBV genome is made up of about 3020-3320 nucloetides for its full length and 1700-2800 nucleotides for its short length strands. The genome codes for the C, X, P, and S genes. Gene C is coding for the virus’s core protein while gene P codes for HBV’s DNA polymerase. Gene S codes for the virus’s surface antigen while gene X codes for an unknown protein.
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Sunday, April 12, 2009
New diagnostic strategy
New diagnostic strategy
The liver blood cells are taken from the patient. Then the sample will be centrifuged at 100000g for 1 hour. This will deposit the endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome. Some samples are taken out from the supertanant. The samples are mix with the enzyme. If the enzyme fits with the target protein, it means the patient is infected.
How it works
After the virus invade the cell, it will start to produce its own DNA by undergo transcription and translation. During translation, ribosome reads the mRNA and produces amino acids. Later these amino acids will be sent out to endoplasmic reticulum. The amino acids product is used to make the surface protein . This protein helps to attach the host cell during invasion of the host cell. We are detecting the protein surface of the virus. An artificial enzyme is created which has the exactly fit size of the active site to the target protein.
After the virus invade the cell, it will start to produce its own DNA by undergo transcription and translation. During translation, ribosome reads the mRNA and produces amino acids. Later these amino acids will be sent out to endoplasmic reticulum. The amino acids product is used to make the surface protein . This protein helps to attach the host cell during invasion of the host cell. We are detecting the protein surface of the virus. An artificial enzyme is created which has the exactly fit size of the active site to the target protein.
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HBV Gene Functions
<1..1623
P gene product
Function
These genes are mainly responsible for multifunctional enzyme. This means these enzymes has more than one active site and can perform 2 enzymes activity. This enzyme previews a DNA polymerase activity allows copying RNA templates. DNA replications also occur to synthesis new strand of DNA. DNA binding allows protein to bind to the DNA to change and alter the gene expression. It is an interaction process of the virus to the host cell to reproduce. Thus the above enzymes are used in this process. In ligand process, it promotes ions binding to the protein. DNA polymerase repairs the DNA when there is error. In molecular function, ribonuclease activity is undergoing as well.
155..835
S gene product
This gene involved in the viral reproduction and replication of viral genome.Virion is virus component with its DNA or RNA core and protein coat as it surrounds the bilayer lipid known as virion membrane. It helps in attachment of the cell to infect a host cell in order to reproduce. It is the gene responsible for them to reproduce next generation.
1374..1838
X gene product
X gene involved in polymerase and precore genes. It send the message to the repeating cycle, and allows transactivating functions.
Viral genome replication sometimes involved in the viral nucleotide metabolism. Protein involved in this gene also responsible for the apoptosis which is the programmed cell death. This is to allow younger and new cells to produce.
1901..2452
C gene product
Pathogenesis are relate to the core of antigen and protein to cause a disease. This is a molecular activity which happens inside and outside the cell. The outside layer is the host lipid protein while inside is the DNA genome. The capsid is considered as a polypedtide.Then lastly the viral capsid functions as the core antigen.
2307..>3215
3215P gene product
This gene function is DNA replication. It is a process of synthesis a new strand using DNA template. It is also a DNA interaction of protein terminal and DNA region parts. It is associated with reverse transcriptase process.
please COMMENT... We need your input, insight, perspectives to increase our knowledge... *& marrkxx ;>
P gene product
Function
These genes are mainly responsible for multifunctional enzyme. This means these enzymes has more than one active site and can perform 2 enzymes activity. This enzyme previews a DNA polymerase activity allows copying RNA templates. DNA replications also occur to synthesis new strand of DNA. DNA binding allows protein to bind to the DNA to change and alter the gene expression. It is an interaction process of the virus to the host cell to reproduce. Thus the above enzymes are used in this process. In ligand process, it promotes ions binding to the protein. DNA polymerase repairs the DNA when there is error. In molecular function, ribonuclease activity is undergoing as well.
155..835
S gene product
This gene involved in the viral reproduction and replication of viral genome.Virion is virus component with its DNA or RNA core and protein coat as it surrounds the bilayer lipid known as virion membrane. It helps in attachment of the cell to infect a host cell in order to reproduce. It is the gene responsible for them to reproduce next generation.
1374..1838
X gene product
X gene involved in polymerase and precore genes. It send the message to the repeating cycle, and allows transactivating functions.
Viral genome replication sometimes involved in the viral nucleotide metabolism. Protein involved in this gene also responsible for the apoptosis which is the programmed cell death. This is to allow younger and new cells to produce.
1901..2452
C gene product
Pathogenesis are relate to the core of antigen and protein to cause a disease. This is a molecular activity which happens inside and outside the cell. The outside layer is the host lipid protein while inside is the DNA genome. The capsid is considered as a polypedtide.Then lastly the viral capsid functions as the core antigen.
2307..>3215
3215P gene product
This gene function is DNA replication. It is a process of synthesis a new strand using DNA template. It is also a DNA interaction of protein terminal and DNA region parts. It is associated with reverse transcriptase process.
please COMMENT... We need your input, insight, perspectives to increase our knowledge... *& marrkxx ;>
Diagnosis, Prevention & Treatment
Diagnosis
Do you know how Hepatitis B Diagnosed?
Here are the mainly common symptoms for hepatitis B infected patient in roughly 25-180 days:
No appetite on daily meals
Nausea and vomiting
Having fever and increased of body temperature
Always feeling weak and tired easily
Always feel painful at abdominal near the part of the liver (upper right quadrant)
Produced dark urine or waste and light-colored stool
Having joint pain all over the body
Skin and eyes color changed to yellowish. (jaundice)
How to confirm the person has Hepatitis B?
Around 30% hepatitis B patient has no symptoms or signs at the earlier stage and doesn’t confirm when or how they got infected.
By testing a hepatitis B blood panel was the only way to detect the disease positively identified. A simple 3 steps test and which is not included in the schedule of blood tests. The results of the test might be difficult to understand for both health care professionals and patients. So, it is better for the written results of all 3 standard tests be reviewed before a diagnosis is made.
Blood Tests
Here is the simple 3 standard blood tests for hepatitis B:
The person who is infected will have the HBsAg (surface antigen test) which part of the hepatitis B virus. When the hepatitis B virus is present, it will show POSITIVE for the test.
Person who received the hepatitis B vaccine will produced HBsAb or anti-HBs (surface antibody test). When the patient’s immune system has developed a defensive antibody against the hepatitis B virus it will show POSITIVE for the test. The antibody was able to provide long-term protection against upcoming infection.
HBcAb or anti-HBc (core antibody test) does not afford any defense or immunity against the hepatitis B virus. So, it is possible to indicate a false positive. A POSITIVE mean the person have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and is usually present in those who are chronically infected.
There is a possibility for a person who have both anti-HBs and anti-HBc in the blood which provides immunity to hepatitis B, to still be infected and have HBsAg. Patients with levels of HBV in their blood may test positive for HBeAg (e antigen) or HBV DNA.
Do you know how Hepatitis B Diagnosed?
Here are the mainly common symptoms for hepatitis B infected patient in roughly 25-180 days:
No appetite on daily meals
Nausea and vomiting
Having fever and increased of body temperature
Always feeling weak and tired easily
Always feel painful at abdominal near the part of the liver (upper right quadrant)
Produced dark urine or waste and light-colored stool
Having joint pain all over the body
Skin and eyes color changed to yellowish. (jaundice)
How to confirm the person has Hepatitis B?
By testing a hepatitis B blood panel was the only way to detect the disease positively identified. A simple 3 steps test and which is not included in the schedule of blood tests. The results of the test might be difficult to understand for both health care professionals and patients. So, it is better for the written results of all 3 standard tests be reviewed before a diagnosis is made.
Blood Tests
Here is the simple 3 standard blood tests for hepatitis B:
The person who is infected will have the HBsAg (surface antigen test) which part of the hepatitis B virus. When the hepatitis B virus is present, it will show POSITIVE for the test.
Person who received the hepatitis B vaccine will produced HBsAb or anti-HBs (surface antibody test). When the patient’s immune system has developed a defensive antibody against the hepatitis B virus it will show POSITIVE for the test. The antibody was able to provide long-term protection against upcoming infection.
HBcAb or anti-HBc (core antibody test) does not afford any defense or immunity against the hepatitis B virus. So, it is possible to indicate a false positive. A POSITIVE mean the person have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and is usually present in those who are chronically infected.
There is a possibility for a person who have both anti-HBs and anti-HBc in the blood which provides immunity to hepatitis B, to still be infected and have HBsAg. Patients with levels of HBV in their blood may test positive for HBeAg (e antigen) or HBV DNA.
Prevention & Treatment
Prevention
- People who are at the utmost risk to get hepatitis B are:
Intravenous drug abusers
Heterosexuals with multiple partners
Homosexual men
Health care workers
Children born to immigrants from China, Southeast Asia, and other areas where hepatitis B is very common
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with the agreement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians, has suggested and advised that all infants receive hepatitis B vaccine in part of their childhood immunization schedule.
To achieve the best immunization result, 3 doses of vaccine are required to stimulate antibody in 80-95%. The vaccination schedule mainly used in 3 intramuscular injections, after the 1st dose given, 2nd and 3rd doses will be given at 1-6 months.
The infant will be injected the first dose of hepatitis B once he is born before discharge from hospital. Second dose will be given in the period of 1-2 months while third dose must be given in the age of 6-18 months.
Hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine must be given to the infected infants who derived the virus from mother in 12 hours after birth. Then, second and third doses must be given in 1 and 6 months of age.
Adults and older children are required to receive the injections in the deltoid while infants are required to get the injections in the thigh. Buttock injection are penalized.
Other preventions:
Cover open wounds, do not share any razors or manicure tools if you are carrier.
Have a safe sex with prevention steps.
Do not share any needles, razors, toothbrushes, manicure tools etc that might contaminate blood.
Do not allow to be pierced or tattooed with non-sterile equipment.
Limit owns alcohol intake.
Do not share IV drug needles or other drug equipment.
Treatment
- There is always fast and emerging treatments provided for those hepatitis B diagnosed patients. Major advances in biomedical research have resulted efficient and helpful treatments for chronic hepatitis B currently. There is no need for the person with chronic hepatitis to get treatment, but people who show the symptoms of active liver disease may benefit from the currently available drugs.
When to initiate treatment?
Treatment can only help the patients to be more healthier or improved at effects view, but not all the patients who show positive for the hepatitis B test need to accept the treatments. Extensive evaluation and treatment guidelines are able to judge and make decisions whether the patient need what type of treatment.
The targets of HBV treatment are:
Persistent inhibition of HBV replication
No detection of HBV DNA in serum
HBeAg change to anti-HBe seroconversion
HBsAg to anti-HBs seroconversion
Decrease of liver disease
Normalization of serum ALT levels
Improvement in liver biopsy findings
Progress in clinical outcome
Avoidance of liver failure and liver cancer
Increased survival percentages
What are the Current Approved Hepatitis B Treatments?
U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of treatment options for infected adults and children.
Interferon-alpha (Intron A) - There are few times of injection provided in the period of 6 months up to a year. This treatment might cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms, depression, and headaches. Children and adult are able to accept this treatment as it already approved in 1991.
Pegylated Interferon (Pegasys) – In the period of 6-12 months, it’s given to the patient once a week. Again, this drug might cause side effects such as flu-like symptoms, depression and other mental health problems. Available for both children and adult and was approved in May 2005.
Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV, Zeffix, or Heptodin) – This treatment was better than the previous because it is a pill and it cause almost zero side effects for the patients. However, it need to be taken once a day for more than one year. A main concern is hepatitis B virus might produce resistance during and after treatment. Approved in 1998 and available for both children and adults.
Adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera) – Another type of pill which has to take once a day for at least one year or even more. However it might cause several side effects to the patients. Kidney problems might happen while taking the drug. It is only available for adult and it was approved in April of 2005.
Entecavir (Baraclude) – It is in pill type which need to take for at least a year and once a day. It cause almost zero side effects. It the best effective oral antiviral drug for chronic hepatitis B currently. Approved April 2005 and available only for adults.
Telbivudine (Tyzeka) – Another type of anti hepatitis B pill which need to take once a day. It must be coupled with a quite high rate of drug resistance and it might bring no effect for the patients who have lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B.
Drugs, however, doesn’t afford to a 100% cure, unless in rare cases. Person who totally cured from the disease means he lost the hepatitis B virus and also produced antibody in the body. The drugs are able to decrease the risk of liver damage from the hepatitis B virus by slowing down or restrict the virus from replicating.
Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
Hepadnaviruses multiply themselves using an RNA intermediate. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can recognise bind to specific receptors on the host liver cells. After binding, it will release its genetic materials into the cell which migrates to the nucleus. In the host cell’s nucleus, the partially double stranded is completed into a circle of HBV DNA. The host cell’s RNA polymerase is duped into transcribing the foreign genome. The HBV mRNA is then translated into new HBV. The new HBV particles are formed and has its viral genome packaged within. It then buds off (exocytosis) from the host cell to infect other host cells. In the process of translating the HBV genome, the host cell will translate HBV protein coat continuously. When there is too much of the protein coat which acts as the HBV surface antigen is produced, it will be delivered out of the host cell and trigger an immune response from the host body.
Hepatitis B Infections:
Acute (FAST!)
For Acute Hepatitis B infections, about quarter to half of all cases of the acute infections shows symptoms. The rest of the cases usually do not have the symptoms or have non-related symptoms. The virus has an incubation time range of around 1 to 6 months. After this, the patient will undergo a pre-jaundice phase. They will have symptoms varying from tiredness, weakness, no appetite, nausea and pain in the top right of their abdomen. However, once the patients reach the jaundice phase, which lasts for about 21 days, these symptoms will slowly disappear. And during the recovery phase, which can be about 6 months, the symptoms will disappear completely.
When a person gets infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), their body will have a clear reaction to the infection by immune response. Their blood serum will have the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that is present on the virus protein coat. HBsAg’s presence is used to detect acute HBV as it is in the blood serum throughout the duration of the infection before the recovery phase. In the recovery phase, the body’s immunity will respond to the viral intrusion and HBsAg belonging to the virus will be replaced by the body’s anti-HBsAg (HBsAb). At the same time, the main antibody for HBV (anti-HBc) will also be present to help attack the virus’ nucleocapsid. HBc IgM is the first to develop and then later on will be substituted with HBc IgG.
However, in some conditions, HBsAb is already present in the pre-jaundice phase. In this case, HBsAg is not used to detect acute HBV infection as HBsAg disappears when HBsAb develops. Instead, HBc IgM must be detected for the diagnosis.
Presence of antigens and antibodies in blood serum:
(pre-Recovery) HBsAg-> (Recovery) anti-HBsAg /HBsAb + anti-HBc (HBc IgM -> HBc IgG)
In cases where the person has been previously infected or vaccinated for HBV and developed anti-HBsAg /HBsAb:
* (pre-Recovery)HBsAg + anti-HBsAg /HBsAb -> (Recovery) anti-HBsAg /HBsAb + anti- HBc (HBc IgM -> HBc IgG)
Hepadnaviruses multiply themselves using an RNA intermediate. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can recognise bind to specific receptors on the host liver cells. After binding, it will release its genetic materials into the cell which migrates to the nucleus. In the host cell’s nucleus, the partially double stranded is completed into a circle of HBV DNA. The host cell’s RNA polymerase is duped into transcribing the foreign genome. The HBV mRNA is then translated into new HBV. The new HBV particles are formed and has its viral genome packaged within. It then buds off (exocytosis) from the host cell to infect other host cells. In the process of translating the HBV genome, the host cell will translate HBV protein coat continuously. When there is too much of the protein coat which acts as the HBV surface antigen is produced, it will be delivered out of the host cell and trigger an immune response from the host body.
Hepatitis B Infections:
Acute (FAST!)
For Acute Hepatitis B infections, about quarter to half of all cases of the acute infections shows symptoms. The rest of the cases usually do not have the symptoms or have non-related symptoms. The virus has an incubation time range of around 1 to 6 months. After this, the patient will undergo a pre-jaundice phase. They will have symptoms varying from tiredness, weakness, no appetite, nausea and pain in the top right of their abdomen. However, once the patients reach the jaundice phase, which lasts for about 21 days, these symptoms will slowly disappear. And during the recovery phase, which can be about 6 months, the symptoms will disappear completely.
When a person gets infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), their body will have a clear reaction to the infection by immune response. Their blood serum will have the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that is present on the virus protein coat. HBsAg’s presence is used to detect acute HBV as it is in the blood serum throughout the duration of the infection before the recovery phase. In the recovery phase, the body’s immunity will respond to the viral intrusion and HBsAg belonging to the virus will be replaced by the body’s anti-HBsAg (HBsAb). At the same time, the main antibody for HBV (anti-HBc) will also be present to help attack the virus’ nucleocapsid. HBc IgM is the first to develop and then later on will be substituted with HBc IgG.
However, in some conditions, HBsAb is already present in the pre-jaundice phase. In this case, HBsAg is not used to detect acute HBV infection as HBsAg disappears when HBsAb develops. Instead, HBc IgM must be detected for the diagnosis.
Summary of Phases:
Infection -> Incubation -> Pre-jaundice -> Jaundice -> Recovery
Infection -> Incubation -> Pre-jaundice -> Jaundice -> Recovery
Presence of antigens and antibodies in blood serum:
(pre-Recovery) HBsAg-> (Recovery) anti-HBsAg /HBsAb + anti-HBc (HBc IgM -> HBc IgG)
In cases where the person has been previously infected or vaccinated for HBV and developed anti-HBsAg /HBsAb:
* (pre-Recovery)HBsAg + anti-HBsAg /HBsAb -> (Recovery) anti-HBsAg /HBsAb + anti- HBc (HBc IgM -> HBc IgG)
*HBsAg cannot be detected as HBV is destroyed by anti-HBsAg /HBsAb and will this will not give an accurate result. So the test for HBV diagnosis will be positive for anti-HBc and anti-HBsAg /HBsAb and negative for HBsAg.
Chronic (SLOW!)
If HBsAg is detected in the blood serum for over 6 months, the infection can be classified as chronic. People who have recurrent HBV infections are usually known as chronic carriers. Chronic HBV sufferers also do not develop the HBsAb to fight the infection and this leads to a more serious case compared to acute HBV. This is because the HBV can multiply without hindrance from the body’s immunity and also stay longer to create more harm as it is not eliminated by the immune system.
If the patient has been infected by HIV before, then they will have a higher chance of getting this type of HBV infection as they already have a weakened immune system. This also goes for those who are under immuno-suppressants or have some other immunity problems. Inflammation, liver cell death, and cirrhosis (liver tissue scarring) affects approximately 50% of those infected. Incidences of liver failure and also maybe liver cancer in chronic HBV sufferers are also high. Chronic HBV infection has varying disease activity (increase or decrease) and the symptoms from the infection will also vary (severe or manageable) accordingly.
please COMMENT... We need your input, insight, perspectives to increase our knowledge... *& marrkxx ;>
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