Ace the Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse Test 2025 – Transform Your Future with Confidence!

The presence of Anti-HBc (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen) and Anti-HBs (antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen) indicates that a person has been infected with the hepatitis B virus in the past and has developed immunity, either through recovery from the infection or vaccination.

Anti-HBc is a marker that signals prior exposure to the virus, while Anti-HBs indicates that the body has successfully responded, developing antibodies that provide immunity against future infections. The combination of these two antibodies is significant as it reflects both past infection and the presence of immunity, thereby ruling out any active infection, as HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) would not be present in an individual who has resolved the infection and developed immunity. This dual presence of Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs is essential for understanding a donor's hepatitis B status when considering organ transplantation and ensuring safety for the recipient.