Virology: hepatitis B window period: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Virology: hepatitis B window period

Sample item

A patient recovering from acute hepatitis B has HBsAg negative, anti-HBs negative, and anti-HBc IgM positive. How is this pattern best interpreted?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Window period of acute infection

In the window period, HBsAg has cleared but anti-HBs has not yet appeared, and anti-HBc IgM is the only marker of recent infection. Vaccination gives anti-HBs alone, chronic infection gives persistent HBsAg, and resolved infection shows anti-HBs with anti-HBc IgG.

Option by option

  • A. Resolved infection with immunity

    Resolved infection shows anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG.

  • B. Vaccination

    Vaccination produces anti-HBs only, with no anti-HBc.

  • C. Chronic carrier state

    A chronic carrier remains HBsAg positive.

  • D. Window period of acute infection (correct)

    Correct. Isolated anti-HBc IgM marks the window period.

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 D, Window period of acute infection. In the window period, HBsAg has cleared but anti-HBs has not yet appeared, and anti-HBc IgM is the only marker of recent infection.

Why is "Resolved infection with immunity" not the answer?

Resolved infection shows anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG.

Why is "Vaccination" not the answer?

Vaccination produces anti-HBs only, with no anti-HBc.

Why is "Chronic carrier state" not the answer?

A chronic carrier remains HBsAg positive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hepatitis B window period in Microbiology. Vaccination gives anti-HBs alone, chronic infection gives persistent HBsAg, and resolved infection shows anti-HBs with anti-HBc IgG.

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 window period?

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.