Hepatitis E IgM | Antibodies

General Information

The hepatitis E IgM antibody test is used to determine whether a person has an active or recent infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV).

Hepatitis E IgM Antibody Quantitative Test

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

The virus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Direct human-to-human transmission through sexual contact or human infection through blood transfusion has not been confirmed.

The virus is endemic in Southeast and Central Asia. Several epidemics have been reported in Central, North, and West Africa, likely due to poor environmental hygiene. It is also known to be zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Severe cases occur in young and middle-aged people, but the mortality rate 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