Acute Hepatitis B can be earliest diagnosed by ?

Ans. is 'a' i.e., IgM anti HBc Ab . This is controversial question. . Some people (including me) are in our of IgM anti HBc abs, while other think HBs Ag is the correct answer. . With HBs Ag one can make the diagnosis of HBV infection, but to confirm acute infection, IgM anti HBc is required. See following question of AIIMS 2006. "A 30 years old patient presented with history of jaundice for 10 days. His liver function tests showed bilirubin of 10 mg/dl, SGOT/SGPT - 1100/1450, serum alkaline phosphatase - 240 IU. He was positive for Hbs Ag. What should be the confirmatory test to establish acute hepatitis B infection ?" a) Ig M anti-HBc antibody (correct answer) b) Hbe Ag c) HBV DNA by PCR d) Anti - HBc antibody . When examinar himself giving us answer in the question, why should we create controversy ? . For confirmation of acute infection, we have to do Ig M anti HBc.