Anti-HBc IgG appears soon after IgM and will persist for years, ultimately disappearing in some patients. IgM may be present in cases of chronic hepatitis. The appearance of anti-HBs usually follows the disappearance of HBsAg. It persists for years and is associated with relative or absolute immunity. In patients who have received the HBV vaccine, this antibody should be the only one to appear in responders.
Response depends strongly on age, sex, obesity, and general health.
The HBeAg appears in close association with HBsAg, but normally does not persist as long. Its presence is generally associated with higher infectivity, but it is of limited usefulness diagnostically. The development of anti-HBe coincides with the disappearance of e antigen. Anti-HBe often disappears, but its persistence has been associated with chronic hepatitis and the chronic carrier state. It does not confer protection.