Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody (total) - serum specimen
- LIS Mnemonic: HAVTOTAB
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
86708
Methodology
Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay
Disease Information
Utility:
This assay measures total antibody (IgM + IgG) responses to Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. HAV total antibody is an indicator of recent or past infection with Hepatitis A virus or seroconversion following immunization. If recent HAV infection is suspected, also order Hepatitis A IgM antibody. Testing of serum for total anti-HAV is used to determine the immune status of an individual, to assess a person's risk for traveling to an endemic region or working in a high-risk area, and to assist in making decisions to administer HAV vaccine or immune globulin prophylaxis following exposure to HAV.
Interpretation
The presence of HAV total antibody is indicative of either a past or present infection with hepatitis A virus or vaccination against HAV. A positive result for total anti-HAV in the absence of IgM anti-HAV indicates previous infection with HAV (or successful immunization) and protection against reinfection. Negative results for total antibody to HAV are indicative of no evidence of infection with or vaccination against HAV. A negative result does not exclude early acute infection. If you suspect an acute HAV infection, please also order hepatitis A IgM testing. Recipients of intravenous immunoglobulin, newborn infants possessing pasively acquired maternal antibody, or patients who have received recent blood transfusions may be positive for total antibody to HAV. For diagnostic purposes, HAV total antibody 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 total antibody (IgG & IgM) to hepatitis A virus (HAV)
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