Virology: hepatitis B: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Virology: hepatitis B

Sample item

A patient's hepatitis B serology is HBsAg negative, anti-HBs positive, and anti-HBc IgG positive. How should this be interpreted?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Immunity after resolved natural infection

Anti-HBc indicates exposure to actual virus, not vaccination. The combination of anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG with absent HBsAg indicates resolved natural infection and immunity.

Option by option

  • A. Immunity after resolved natural infection (correct)

    Correct. Core antibody plus surface antibody signals past natural infection.

  • B. Immunity from vaccination only

    Vaccination produces anti-HBs without anti-HBc.

  • C. Acute hepatitis B during the window period

    The window period has anti-HBc IgM, usually without anti-HBs.

  • D. Chronic hepatitis B with high infectivity

    Chronic infection has persistent 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.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Immunity after resolved natural infection. Anti-HBc indicates exposure to actual virus, not vaccination.

Why is "Immunity from vaccination only" not the answer?

Vaccination produces anti-HBs without anti-HBc.

Why is "Acute hepatitis B during the window period" not the answer?

The window period has anti-HBc IgM, usually without anti-HBs.

Why is "Chronic hepatitis B with high infectivity" not the answer?

Chronic infection has persistent HBsAg.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hepatitis B in Microbiology. The combination of anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG with absent HBsAg indicates resolved natural infection and immunity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Virology: hepatitis B?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.