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Test Code A-M Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM

Useful For

As an aid in the diagnosis of acute or recent infections with Hepatitis A virus.

Synonyms/Keywords

Hep A Virus Antibody - IgM, Anti-HAV (IgM), Hep A IgM-Ab

Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No Serum Serum Separator Tube (SST) Red Top Tube (RTT) 1 mL 0.4 mL 0.3 mL

Collection/Processing Instructions

Separate serum from the blood within 60 minutes of venipuncture and transport in an aliquot tube.  

 

Specimen must be free of particulate matter including fibrin.
 

Regional/Outreach sites:  Please send samples to Marshfield frozen.
 
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay. It is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Ambient <8 hours
Refrigerate <48 hours
Frozen at -20 C 6 months
Frozen at -70 C >6 months

Rejection Criteria

Specimens containing precipitate
Cadaver specimens
Heat-inactivated specimens
Body fluids other than serum

Test Information

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is endemic throughout the world, however, occurring most commonly in areas of poor hygiene and low socioeconomic conditions. The virus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route, and it is spread by close person-to-person contact and by food- and water-borne epidemics. Viral spread by parenteral routes (e.g., exposure to blood) is possible but rare, because infected individuals are viremic for a short period of time (usually <3 weeks). There is little or no evidence of transplacental transmission from mother to fetus or transmission to newborn during delivery.

 

Limitations

  • Test cannot be used to determine immune status to Hepatitis A.
  • The results determined by different assays from different manufacturers can vary due to differences in assay specificities and cannot be used interchangeably.
  • Assay performance characteristics have not been evaluated for immunocompromised, immunosuppressed, infants, children or adolescent patients.
  • A reactive or positive result does not exclude co-infection by another hepatitis virus.

Interferences

Heterophilic antibodies in human serum can react with the immunoglobulins included in the assay components causing interference with immunoassay. Patients receiving therapy with high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day), should be tested 8 hours after last biotin administration.  

 

High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay.

Interpretations

Serological diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis A depends on the detection of specific anti-HAV IgM. Its presence in the patient's serum indicates a recent exposure to HAV. Anti-HAV IgM becomes detectable in the blood within 2 weeks after infection, persisting at elevated levels for about 2 months before declining to undetectable levels by 6 months. Positive results should be correlated with the patients clinical history.

 

Hepatitis A is a reportable disease in Wisconsin and other states.

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield Reported as "Reactive" or "Non-reactive" or "Equivocal".

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Chemistry

Performing Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield Monday through Friday 1 day Microparticle Chemiluminometric Immunoassay /Siemens Centaur

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86709          

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86709          

Ordering Applications

Ordering Application Description
Cerner Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM