Summary and explanation
HBeAg is the extracellular form of HBcAg, so the presence of both are markers of viral replication and antibodies to these antigens are markers of a decrease in replication. HBeAb is the antibody against HBeAg. HBeAb appears the moment the e antigen disappears or 1 to 2 weeks later.
Since the disappearance of e antigens occurs shortly beforethe disappearance of the surface antigen (HbsAg),detection of HBeAb generally means that the acute stage of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is over or almost over. and that the infectivity for others is much lower. In a few cases, there are short periods of coexistence of the e antigen and the e antibody. The presence of HBeAb is generally considered a good sign and indicates a favorable prognosis.
