A 52-year-old man with a history of hypertension presents for a follow-up visit. He denies any complaints. His only medication is hydrochlorothiazide. He has some laboratory tests done that reveal mild elevations of his ALT and AST levels. His total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels are normal. He is brought back to have his tests repeated and to have further testing. His AST and ALT are still elevated. His iron studies are normal. His hepatitis C antibody is negative. His hepatitis A IgM is negative. His hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody are negative. His IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) is positive. Which of the following statements is correct?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most specific marker for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis B is IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc). However, false positives can occur. Chronic carriers of hepatitis B will typically have a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and a positive IgG antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgG anti-HBc). Patients may sometimes be low-level carriers with a negative HbsAg and only a positive IgG anti-HBc. Hepatitis D requires the presence of HbsAg to cause infection. It is associated with acute HBV infection (predominantly in intravenous drug users) but the overall incidence is low. When a patient presents with this pattern, repeating the tests in two to three months may assist in the diagnosis. If the IgM anti-HBc disappears and either a hepatitis B surface antibody or IgG anti-HBc appears, then it is likely that he had an acute infection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.