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Test Code HEPAM Hepatitis A IgM Antibody

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Virology Laboratory 304-388-9618

Specimen Requirements

Plasma- 2 EDTA, Lavender Top Tubes

Draw 6 ml of plasma(minimum 3.0mL plasma) 

Centrifuge and remove plasma within 8 hours of collection

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Hemolyzed 
  • Serum subject to repeat freeze thaw cycles.

Storage and Stability

Room Temperature               Up to 8 hours
Refrigerate > 8 hours prior to testing                
Frozen > 5 days before testing

Reference Values

Negative: No antibody to hepatitis A virus detected

Positive: IgM Antibody to hepatitis A virus detected

 

Interpretation

If patient has received hepatitis A vaccine, the antibody in response to vaccine will be detected by this test. It does not differentiate between vaccine response and natural infection.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent immunoassay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Friday, Continuously

Weekends and Holidays, Batched once per day

Results available same day as testing performed

CPT Coding

86709

Additional Information

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Adults will have signs and symptoms more often than children.
  • jaundice
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • fever

 

CAUSE
  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV)

LONG-TERM EFFECTS
  • There is no chronic (long-term) infection.
  • Once you have had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.
  • About 15% of people infected with HAV will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period.

TRANSMISSION
  • HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A. 
  • HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. 

PERSONS AT RISK OF INFECTION
  • Household contacts of infected persons
  • Sex contacts of infected persons
  • Persons, especially children, living in areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997.
  • Persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Injecting and non-injecting drug users

PREVENTION
  • Hepatitis A vaccine is the best protection.
  • Short-term protection against hepatitis A is available from immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with HAV. 
  • Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.

VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS

Vaccine is recommended for the following persons from 12 months* of age and older:

  • Travelers to areas with increased rates of hepatitis A Men who have sex with men
  • Injecting and non-injecting drug users
  • Persons with clotting-factor disorders (e.g. hemophilia)
  • Persons with chronic liver disease
  • Children living in areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997

*Vaqta® only: Havrix® is recommended for ages 2 years and older

TRENDS & STATISTICS 

 
  • Occurs in epidemics both nationwide and in communities
  • During epidemic years, the number of reported cases reached 35,000.  In the late 1990s, hepatitis A vaccine was more widely used and the number of cases reached historic lows.
  • One-third of Americans have evidence of past infection (immunity).