Test ID: HAVAB
Hepatitis A Total Antibodies, with Reflex to Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection and differentiation between acute/recent and past/resolved hepatitis A infection
Verification of immunity to hepatitis A from past/resolved infection or successful vaccination
Reflex Tests
Lists test(s) that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial test(s)
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAVM | Hepatitis A IgM Ab, S | Yes | No |
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situation(s) when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
If hepatitis A total antibodies is positive, then hepatitis A IgM antibody is performed at an additional charge.
Special Instructions and Forms
Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Chemiluminescence Immunoassay
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Anti-HAV IgG and IgM
Anti-HAV Total Antibodies
Anti-Hepatitis A
HAA (Hepatitis A Antibody)
HAVAB IgG+IgM, Serum
Hepatitis A Ab, P
Hepatitis A Antibody (Anti-HAV)
Hepatitis A Viral AB IgG+IgM, Serum
Hepatitis A Viral Antibody, Plasma
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Collection Container/Tube: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Spin down and remove serum from clot within 24 hours.
Additional Information: Date of draw is required.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild reject; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum SST | Frozen (preferred) | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours | |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
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 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, antibodies to HAV (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) and anti-HAV total (IgM and IgG), but not anti-HAV IgG alone.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
See Viral Hepatitis Serologic Profiles in Special Instructions.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) total (both IgG and IgM) result indicates acute, recent, past/resolved exposure to hepatitis A, or immunity to hepatitis A from vaccination.
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 anti-HAV total result with a negative anti-HAV IgM result indicates immunity to hepatitis A from either past/resolved hepatitis A or vaccination against hepatitis A.
Negative results indicate 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 and anti-HAV IgM (HAVM/Hepatitis A IgM Antibody, Serum) is recommended to determine the definitive HAV infection status.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Passively acquired antibodies (eg, recent immune globulin administration, transfusion, maternal antibodies in infants <18 months of age) may result in transiently positive anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) total test results.
Regardless of exposure history, testing for anti-HAV total alone is insufficient to detect acute hepatitis A.
Performance characteristics have not been established for the following specimen characteristics:
-Grossly icteric (total bilirubin 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
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
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
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The VITROS anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) total assay is a competitive immunoassay method based on the preincubation of anti-HAV total in the sample with HAV antigen in the assay reagent, followed by incubation with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibody conjugate (mouse monoclonal anti-HAV). The immune complex is captured by streptavidin on the well surface. Unbound conjugate is removed by washing.
The bound HRP conjugate is measured by a luminescent reaction. A reagent containing luminogenic substrates (a luminol derivative and a peracid salt) and an electron transfer agent is added to the wells. The HRP in the bound conjugate catalyzes the oxidation of the luminol derivative, producing light. The electron transfer agent increases the level and duration of the light produced. The light signals are read by the VITROS ECi system. The amount of HRP conjugate is indicative of the concentration of anti-HAV present in the sample. (Package insert: VITROS Anti-HAV Total Reagent Pack, no. GEM1235A, version 1.0; Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Rochester, NY 14626-5101)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; Varies
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86708-Hepatitis A total antibodies
86709-Hepatitis A, IgM (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| HAVAB | Hepatitis A Total Ab, w/Reflex, S | 20575-7 |


