[Serological diagnosis of viral hepatitis]

The differentiation and classification of different types of viral hepatitis was essentially improved in the laboratory diagnosis by the direct determination of the virus in serum, viral antigens or their antibodies. Especially for the hepatitis B it is possible to recognize the infectivity by the serum marker HBeAg, the prognosis by seroconversion (HBeAg/HBeAb), the epidemiology, and vaccination prophylaxis, respectively. Without doubt, immunological marker have an increasing significance for prophylaxis, diagnosis, and therapy of viral hepatitis.