Which of the following is **NOT** a marker for recovery from Hepatitis B?

The correct reasoning for identifying the surface antigen (HBsAg) as the marker that is NOT indicative of recovery from Hepatitis B lies in understanding the stages of Hepatitis B infection and the associated serology.

During Hepatitis B infection, HBsAg is the first marker to appear and indicates active infection. The presence of HBsAg in the serum is associated with the viral replication stage, suggesting that the virus is still present in the body. Recovery from Hepatitis B occurs when HBsAg becomes undetectable, which typically generates a serological profile characterized by the presence of antibodies against viral components as the body clears the infection.

In contrast, the other markers mentioned—anti-HB surface IgG, anti-HB core IgG, and anti-HB e IgG—are associated with immunity and recovery. Specifically, the presence of anti-HB surface IgG indicates the resolution of an infection and immunity to future infections, while anti-HB core IgG reflects past exposure to the virus, and anti-HB e IgG suggests the clearance of the virus and resolution of acute hepatitis.

Thus, HBsAg serves as a direct indicator of an ongoing infection rather than recovery, making it the correct choice for a marker that