Hepatitis E IgM
Clinical Background:
Detection of HEV IgM antibodies indicates acute hepatitis E virus infection. Care is required as false positive results are seen and samples require HEV PCR testing for confirmation. Certain genoty...
Detection of HEV IgM antibodies indicates acute hepatitis E virus infection. Care is required as false positive results are seen and samples require HEV PCR testing for confirmation. Certain genotypes of HEV are travel-associated infections, however in recent years genotypes endemic to the UK have been identified. Endemic hepatitis E virus infection is belived to be acquired from undercooked pork and is more common in the UK than hepatitis A virus infection. Although normally a self-limiting acute hepatitis disease can be severe especially in pregnancy. Immunocompromised patients can develope chronic infection and may not mount an IgM response. Exclusion of hepatitis E virus infection in the immunocompromised therefore required PCR testing.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Microbiology
Microbiology
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Specimen Container Adult:
Clotted blood - Gold SST
Clotted blood - Gold SST
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Clotted blood
Clotted blood
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Minimum Volume Adult:
5 ml
5 ml
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
1 ml
1 ml
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Special Requirement:
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Sample Stability:
Stable for up to 24 hours
Stable for up to 24 hours
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Transport Requirements:
Standard
Standard
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Add On Test:
Possible up to 5 days
Possible up to 5 days
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Quality Assurance:
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
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Reference Ranges:
None available
None available
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Factors Affecting Result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C