Daily Health Tips

Infection with hepatitis B virus is usually diagnosed in a person with symptoms of acute hepatitis, or through the investigation of alterations in liver function tests in a patient without symptoms. In any case, the doctor will ask the patient about risk factors for acquiring the virus and look for physical examination of signs that can guide to the presence of liver cirrhosis.

Because many liver diseases can have clinical manifestations similar to hepatitis B, usually the laboratory tests are those that give a definitive diagnosis.

Aminotransferases: Also known as transaminases, are tests to estimate the degree of liver inflammation. The ALT (alanine transferase and SGPT) and AST (aspartate transferase or SGOT) may rise to values ​​over 1000 U/L in acute hepatitis and vary from normal range (less than 40 U / L) to several hundred in chronic hepatitis.

Bilirubin: Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin from red blood cells is removed by the liver. Its elevation indicates a major failure of the hepatic excretory capacity and manifests as jaundice.

Albumin is the main protein of plasma and is produced in the liver. Its usually indicates a decrease in liver injury.
Prothrombin time, Prothrombin is a protein produced by the liver that is used for coagulation. Its measurement is expressed as a percentage of normal value or INR (international normalized ratio). The normal INR is 1. A drop in the production of prothrombin INR increases.

Viral markers: The hepatitis B virus can be detected through a series of tests that detect proteins produced by the virus (antigens) or the immune response produced by the body against the virus (antibodies). The antigen of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is present in both acute and chronic infection. Their stay for more than 6 months defines chronic hepatitis B. The anti-core antibodies can be IgG or IgM (IgM anti-HBc).

The presence of anti-HBc IgM usually indicates acute infection. The e antigen (HBeAg) is an indicator of active infection and viral replication. Their detection is important during treatment, since their disappearance indicates that viral replication has been controlled. Some patients may have variants of the virus mutates (pre-core mutant) and do not produce HBeAg, although there is active infection.

Viral DNA: Detection and quantification of DNA (genetic material) virus is an excellent way to monitor the degree of viral replication. It is often used to monitor response to therapy.

Liver Biopsy: Getting a piece of liver for microscopic analysis is an excellent way to determine the degree of existing damage in the liver, important in deciding therapy.

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