Which lab findings would suggest a recovered Hepatitis B infection?

• A. Anti-HBc + HBsAg
• B. Anti-HBc + Anti-HBsAg
• C. HBsAg + Anti-HBe
• D. Anti-HBsAg + IgM

Answer: (B)

The presence of Anti-HBc and Anti-HBsAg indicates a recovered Hepatitis B infection. When a person has recovered from Hepatitis B, their immune system produces antibodies against the Hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc) and the Hepatitis B surface antigen (Anti-HBsAg).

Anti-HBc signifies that there has been exposure to the virus and a prior infection, while Anti-HBsAg suggests that the immune response is complete, and the virus has been cleared from the body. Together, these antibodies suggest that the person has developed immunity to Hepatitis B and is no longer infectious.

In contrast, other combinations of serological markers would not indicate recovery. For example, the presence of HBsAg suggests active infection, while IgM is associated with acute infections or recent infections rather than a recovered state. In this scenario, the presence of Anti-HBc with Anti-HBsAg is the marker of a resolved and immune state, clearly indicating recovery from Hepatitis B.