Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CCTN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The presence of HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface Antigen) and Anti-HBc (Antibody to Hepatitis B core Antigen) indicates a chronic Hepatitis B infection. HBsAg is a marker for active infection, which suggests that the virus is present in the blood. In chronic infections, this antigen is typically detectable for longer than six months.

Anti-HBc, on the other hand, appears in response to the core antigen of the virus. Its presence signifies either past or ongoing infection with Hepatitis B. In chronic infections, Anti-HBc remains positive even when the HBsAg may fluctuate over time. Therefore, the presence of these two markers suggests a validated chronic infection rather than an acute or inactive phase of the virus.

Other combinations of reactions do not provide the same implication. For instance, HBsAb (Hepatitis B surface Antibody), which appears following a resolved infection or vaccination, would not indicate ongoing viral activity or chronicity. Anti-HBs (Antibody to Hepatitis B surface Antigen) indicates recovery or immunity from Hepatitis B, excluding the possibility of chronic infection. Therefore, the combination of HBsAg and Anti-HBc is definitive for chronic hepatitis B infection.