Albumin – a protein manufactured by the liver. Low albumin levels are an indication of liver damage.
ALT – alanine aminotransferase, a liver enzyme that enters the blood following liver damage. The test is used to monitor and assess the degree of damage in patients infected with chronic HBV.
Antigen – a protein manufactured by an invasive pathogen that can trigger the body’s immune response, leading to the production of an antibody.
AST – aspartate aminotransferase, a liver enzyme but less liver specific than ALT.
Anti-HBc – anti-hepatitis B core antibody, an antibody to the core antigen HBc. It is found in acute infection, in chronic carriers and in those who have cleared the infection.
Anti-HBe – antibody to the hepatitis Be antigen, present in those recovering from acute hepatitis B infection, along with anti-HBc and anti- HBs. In patients with chronic hepatitis B, anti-HBe usually becomes positive when the virus disappears from the body.
Anti-HBs – antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen, indicating recovery and immunity from HBV infection.
Bilirubin – a breakdown product of haemoglobin; increases can indicate liver disease, especially in disease of the bile ducts.
CccDNA – covalently closed circular DNA, the main host reservoir of HBV in the infected liver.
Compensated disease – treatment has counterbalanced damaged liver function.
Decompensated disease – treatment can no longer counterbalance severely damaged liver function, leading to failure.
De novo – from the beginning.
Fulminant – disease with rapid onset and following a short, severe course.
HBeAg – hepatitis B e-antigen, a marker detected in blood indicating early, active viral infection. Also can be used as a marker for a person’s infectivity.
HBeAg-negative – chronic hepatitis B, appearing after lengthy infection where patients stop producing the ‘e’ antigen (HBeAg) but may continue to produce e-antibodies (anti-HBe).
HBeAg-positive – chronic hepatitis B characterised by presence of the hepatitis B e-antigen. Acquired during early infection, this is the most common form of the disease worldwide.
HbsAg – hepatitis B surface antigen, the earliest indicator of acute infection. HbsAg appears in the blood about six weeks following infection and usually disappears three months after acute illness. Persistence for more than six months indicates carrier state/chronic infection.
HBV DNA – hepatitis B viral DNA in the host’s blood, a marker for infection.
Hepatitis B anti-core IgM antibody – an antibody produced by the immune system indicating recent infection. It is later replaced by the IgG anti-core antibody which stays in the blood for life.
Hepatocyte – liver cell.
IDU – intravenous drug user.
Immunomodulatory – ability to modulate the immune response to a desirable level.
Immunoglobulins – proteins of animal origin with known antibody activity, synthesized by lymphocyte and plasma. Found in serum, other body fluids and cell tissues, they bind to invading organisms to destroy them.
Glomerulonephritis - inflammation of the small structures inside the kidneys that are known as glomeruli.
Osteopaenia – inflammation of the small structures inside the kidneys that are known as glomeruli.