Diagnosis of Chronic Hepatitis B Serologic testing Liver biopsy The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B is suspected in patients with any of the following: Suggestive symptoms and signs Incidentally noted elevations in aminotransferase levels Previously diagnosed acute hepatitis Diagnosis is confirmed by finding positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgG antibody to hepatitis B core (IgG anti-HBc) and negative IgM anti-HBc (see table Hepatitis B Serology) and by measuring hepatitis B virus DNA (quantitative HBV-DNA).