Gastroenterology: HBeAg interpretation: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Gastroenterology: HBeAg interpretation

Sample item

A patient is HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, with HBV DNA of 10 million IU/mL and normal ALT. Which phase and implication fit best?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Immune-tolerant phase with high infectivity

HBeAg positivity with very high viral load reflects active replication and high infectivity. Normal ALT with high DNA characterises the immune-tolerant phase, common after perinatal infection. Treatment is generally deferred in young patients without fibrosis but ALT is monitored.

Option by option

  • A. Inactive carrier state

    Inactive carriers are HBeAg negative with low DNA.

  • B. Immune-tolerant phase with high infectivity (correct)

    Correct. High DNA with normal ALT indicates immune tolerance.

  • C. Vaccinated state

    Vaccination gives anti-HBs only.

  • D. Recovered immunity

    Recovery shows anti-HBs and no HBsAg.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Immune-tolerant phase with high infectivity. HBeAg positivity with very high viral load reflects active replication and high infectivity.

Why is "Inactive carrier state" not the answer?

Inactive carriers are HBeAg negative with low DNA.

Why is "Vaccinated state" not the answer?

Vaccination gives anti-HBs only.

Why is "Recovered immunity" not the answer?

Recovery shows anti-HBs and no HBsAg.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: HBeAg interpretation in General Medicine. Normal ALT with high DNA characterises the immune-tolerant phase, common after perinatal infection. Treatment is generally deferred in young patients without fibrosis but ALT is monitored.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastroenterology: HBeAg interpretation?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.