Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Practice Exam

The presence of the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is indicative of recent infection or active Hepatitis B. When this antibody appears in the serum, it typically indicates that the person has been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus, and this can occur during the acute phase of the infection. The presence of IgM anti-HBc specifically suggests a recent infection, whereas total anti-HBc can be present in both acute and chronic infections. In this context, while other markers are useful in assessing different phases of Hepatitis B, they do not specifically indicate recent infection in the same way that the core antibody does. For instance, HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) indicates an ongoing infection but is not exclusively a marker for recent infections. HBsAb (antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen) signifies recovery and immunity rather than active infection. HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) denotes viral replication and higher infectivity, but not necessarily the timing of infection. Thus, understanding the role of anti-HBc provides crucial insights into determining the timeline of Hepatitis B infection.