A 36yearold man consulted his family physician because of li

A 36-year-old man consulted his family physician because of liver function abnormalities, which had been noted initially during a reinsurance physical examination 6 months earlier. The following laboratory results were obtained, which were identical to those obtained 6 months ago (Case Study Table 25-5.1). What is the most likely diagnosis? What is the prognosis? What complications may develop? What additional tests should be done?

Solution

The person is acutely infected with Hepatitis B virus as he has HbsAg positive and Hb Core antibody positive.

The Hepatitis C antibody testing will not confirm the patient infection. He should get tested for the nucleic acid testing for Hepatitis C Viral RNA. This is because the Antibody is produced 8 weeks after infection where as the HCV RNA is detected 1-2 weeks after infection. Hence negative antibody might not be a confirmatory test.