Which HBV marker persists during the window period and is used to identify prior exposure?

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Multiple Choice

Which HBV marker persists during the window period and is used to identify prior exposure?

Explanation:
During the window period, the surface antigen has disappeared and the protective surface antibody hasn’t appeared yet. The antibody that remains detectable and signals prior exposure is anti-HBc. Anti-HBc appears early and can persist as IgG after the acute phase, so it remains positive even when HBsAg is gone and Anti-HBs is not yet present. This makes anti-HBc the reliable marker for identifying prior HBV exposure in the window period. HBsAg would be absent, Anti-HBs would not yet be detectable, and while HBV DNA can sometimes be found, it isn’t the standard marker used to indicate prior exposure in this interval.

During the window period, the surface antigen has disappeared and the protective surface antibody hasn’t appeared yet. The antibody that remains detectable and signals prior exposure is anti-HBc. Anti-HBc appears early and can persist as IgG after the acute phase, so it remains positive even when HBsAg is gone and Anti-HBs is not yet present. This makes anti-HBc the reliable marker for identifying prior HBV exposure in the window period. HBsAg would be absent, Anti-HBs would not yet be detectable, and while HBV DNA can sometimes be found, it isn’t the standard marker used to indicate prior exposure in this interval.

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