Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM antibody - serum specimen
- LIS Mnemonic: HAVIGM
Collect
Gold (SST - Clot activator & gel)
Volume Required
2 ml blood
Minimum Required
1 ml serum
Transport
A total of 2-4 ml of blood (for every 2-3 HIV and Hepatitis tests ordered) should be collected and submitted at room temperature to the laboratory.
Days Performed
Monday thru Friday
Reported
Daily
CPT
86709
Methodology
Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay
Disease Information
Utility:
Indicator of recent acute infection with Hepatitis A virus (HAV). IgM-specific antibody to HAV is present from the onset of symptoms and declines to nondetectable levels within 3-6 months in most individuals. Low levels of anti-HAV IgM may persist for more than 1 year in some patients.
Interpretation
The presence of HAV IgM antibody is indicative of a recent acute infection with HAV in persons with signs and symptoms of hepatitis and in persons at risk for HAV infection. Negative results are indicative of no evidence of a recent acute infection with HAV. Does not exclude early acute infection or past infection with HAV. If you suspect a past HAV infection or are attempting to determine the immune status of an individual following vaccination, please also order HAV total antibody (IgG & IgM) testing. For diagnostic purposes, IgM anti-HAV reactivity should be correlated with patient history and other hepatitis markers for diagnosis of past or present infection, or vaccination against HAV.
Reference Values
Negative or nonreactive for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (HAV)
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