Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a protein antigen produced by hepatitis B virus (HBV). This antigen is the earliest indicator of acute hepatitis B infection and is able to identify infected people before they are symptomatic. HBsAg becomes undetectable in the blood during the recovery period. Children and immunocompromised patients such as patients with HIV infection who become chronically infected may remain HBsAg positive.
To detect this antigen we perform an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test (HIV ELISA).
