Interpretive Handbook

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is endemic throughout the world, occurring most commonly, however, 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. Outbreaks frequently occur in overcrowded situations and in high-density institutions and centers, such as prisons and health care or day care centers. Viral spread by parenteral routes (eg, 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.

In most cases, anti-HAV are detectable by the time that symptoms occur, usually 15 to 45 days after exposure. Initial antibodies consist almost entirely of the IgM subclass. Anti-HAV IgM usually falls to an undetectable level by 6 months after HAV infection. Anti-HAV IgG levels rise quickly once the virus is cleared and may persist for many years. Currently, commercial diagnostic assays are available for detecting only anti-HAV IgM (HAVM Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum or anti-HAV Total, but not anti-HAV IgG alone.

Detection of recent or previous exposure or immunity to hepatitis A

This assay detects the presence of anti-HAV total (both IgG and IgM combined). A positive result indicates that the patient had hepatitis A either recently or in the past.

If clinically indicated, specific testing for anti-HAV IgM (HAVM Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum) is necessary to confirm the presence of acute or recent hepatitis A. A positive result for anti-HAV total (HAV Hepatitis A Total Antibodies, Serum) with a negative anti-HAV IgM (HAVM Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum) result indicates immunity to hepatitis A from either past HAV infection or vaccination against HAV.

A negative result indicates the absence of recent or past hepatitis A or a lack of immunity to HAV infection.

Borderline test results for anti-HAV total may be seen in: 1) acute hepatitis A with rising levels of anti-HAV IgM, 2) recent hepatitis with rising levels of anti-HAV IgG, or 3) cross-reactivity with nonspecific antibodies (ie, false-positive results). Retesting of both anti-HAV total (HAV Hepatitis A Total Antibodies, Serum) and anti-HAV IgM (HAVM Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum) is recommended to determine the definitive HAV infection status.

Passively acquired antibody (eg, recent immune globulin administration, transfusion) may result in transiently positive test results.

Regardless of exposure history, testing for anti-hepatitis A virus total alone is insufficient to detect acute hepatitis A.

Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:

-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin level of >20 mg/dL)

-Grossly hemolyzed (hemoglobin level of >125 mg/dL)

-Grossly lipemic (triolein >3,000 mg/dL)

-Containing particulate matter

-Cadaveric specimens

-Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed

Negative 

See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.

1. Wasley A, Fiore A, Bell BP: Hepatitis A in the era of vaccination. Epidemiol Rev 2006;28:101-111

2. Nainan OV, Xia G, Vaughan G, Margolis HS: Diagnosis of hepatitis A infection: a molecular approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2006;19:63-79