What do the five hepatitis B items mean?
Hepatitis B pentagram, also known as hepatitis B two-and-a-half, is a commonly used serological marker for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Through these five tests, we can know whether an individual is infected with hepatitis B virus, infection status and immunity status. The following are the specific meanings of the five hepatitis B items and their clinical significance.
1. Five hepatitis B test items and their significance

| Test items | English abbreviation | clinical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B surface antigen | HBsAg | Positive indicates infection with hepatitis B virus, which may be acute or chronic infection |
| Hepatitis B surface antibody | HBsAb | A positive test indicates immunity to hepatitis B virus, which may be due to vaccination or recovery from natural infection. |
| Hepatitis B e antigen | HBsA | Positive means the virus is actively replicating and is highly contagious |
| Hepatitis B e antibody | HB | Positive means that virus replication is weakened and infectivity is reduced |
| Hepatitis B core antibody | HBcAb | Positive means that you have been infected with hepatitis B virus, which may be current infection or past infection. |
2. Interpretation of the five common combination patterns of hepatitis B
| Combination mode | clinical significance |
|---|---|
| HBsAg(+), HBeAg(+), HBcAb(+) | "Big three positives", the virus replicates actively and is highly contagious |
| HBsAg(+), HBeAb(+), HBcAb(+) | "Little three positives", virus replication is weakened and infectivity is reduced |
| HBsAb(+), HBcAb(+) | Have been infected with hepatitis B virus in the past and have recovered and developed immunity |
| HBsAb(+) | Develop immunity after vaccination, or recover from natural infection |
| All negative | Not infected with hepatitis B virus and have not developed immunity |
3. Precautions for five hepatitis B tests
1.No need to fast before testing: The five-item hepatitis B test usually does not require fasting, but you need to follow the doctor’s recommendations.
2.Dynamic changes in detection results: The results of the five hepatitis B tests may change over time, especially during the acute infection period or during treatment, and require regular review.
3.Combined with other checks: The five hepatitis B tests need to be combined with other tests such as liver function and HBV DNA to comprehensively assess the condition.
4.Vaccination: If all five items are negative, it is recommended to receive hepatitis B vaccine to prevent infection.
4. Clinical significance of five items of hepatitis B
The five hepatitis B tests are the cornerstone of hepatitis B diagnosis and management. Through five tests, doctors can determine the infection status, contagiousness and immunity status, so as to formulate corresponding treatment or preventive measures. For example, patients with all three positives may require antiviral treatment, while those with all negatives may be advised to receive vaccination.
Early detection and intervention of hepatitis B virus infection are crucial and can effectively reduce the risk of serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, regular physical examinations and five hepatitis B tests are important components of health management.
5. Summary
The five-item hepatitis B test is an important tool to understand the status of hepatitis B virus infection. Through the combined analysis of five indicators, the infection stage, immune status and infectivity can be clarified. Both healthy people and hepatitis B patients should pay attention to this test and take corresponding preventive or treatment measures based on the results.
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