Hepatitis E IgM | Antibodies

General Information

The hepatitis E virus, which belongs to the genus Hepaviruses and the family Hepaviridae, causes an acute viral infection. The infection is usually self-limiting. Hepatitis E virus is a sphere with a diameter of 27-34 nm, with a single-stranded RNA genome.

Hepatitis E virus is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Direct human-to-human transmission through sexual intercourse, or human infection through blood transfusion, has not been confirmed.

Hepatitis E virus is endemic in Southeast and Central Asia. Several epidemics have been reported in Central, North and West Africa - under the influence of poor hygienic environmental conditions. It is worth noting the way of zoonotic infection - from animals to humans. Severe cases occur in young and middle-aged people, although mortality is low.

The clinical picture is similar to an infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. After the incubation period, which lasts 15-60 days, the patient begins to develop symptoms of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver): fever, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), increased levels of liver transaminases in the blood. Anti-hepatitis E virus IgM antibodies (anti-HEV IgM) develop in the serum, which is followed a few days later by the development of IgG (anti-HEV IgG) antibodies.

Anti-HEV IgM antibodies remain positive in the blood for almost 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies remain in the blood for years after infection. The chronic form of hepatitis E does not develop.

Study material: Venous blood

Preliminary preparation: not necessary

Interpretation of results

Detection of anti-HEV IgM antibodies confirms transmission of hepatitis E within the last 6 months.

The detection of anti-HEV IgG antibodies indicates a past infection or recovery from an acute infection.

Absence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies does not exclude an acute infectious process, as acute phase antibodies sometimes develop within 6-7 weeks.

In the acute phase, the determination of viral RNA in blood or feces is used to confirm the diagnostics.