E antigen

E antigen is a protein that appears on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. Its presence helps doctors determine how actively the virus is replicating and how contagious a person might be. Testing for E antigen is useful in managing hepatitis B, as its presence usually indicates higher levels of virus in the blood. If the E antigen is absent, it may suggest that the virus is less active or under control, which can influence treatment decisions. Overall, E antigen is an important marker for understanding the status and infectivity of hepatitis B infection.