26432 Hepatitis A IgG Antibody, Serum (HAIGG)

Anti-HAV

Anti-HAV IgG

Anti-Hepatitis A

Anti-Hepatitis A IgG

HAVAB-G

Hepatitis A antibody

Hepatitis A IgG Antibody

Hepatitis A IgG

HAIGG

​Detection of previous exposure or immunity to hepatitis A infection

1. Centrifuge blood collection tube per collection tube manufacturer's instructions (eg, centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours of collection for BD Vacutainer tubes).

2. Aliquot serum into plastic vial.

3. Date of draw is required. 

Gross hemolysis

Gross lipemia

Gross icterus

Passively acquired IgG antibody from recent immune globulin administration or transfusion may result in transiently positive test results.

The presence of heterophilic antibodies or human antimouse antibodies (in patients who have received preparations of mouse monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or therapy) in serum may interfere with the assay and cause erroneous results (false-positive or false-negative).

Specimens from individuals with anti-Escherichia coli, anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV), or hemodialysis patients may cross-react with this assay.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is endemic throughout the world, occurring most commonly 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 as well as 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 of acute hepatitis A, IgM antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV IgM) are detectable by the time symptoms occur, usually 15 to 45 days after exposure. HAV-specific IgM antibody level in serum usually falls to an undetectable level by 6 months after acute infection. HAV-specific IgG antibody (anti-HAV IgG) level in serum rises quickly once the virus is cleared and may persist for many years.

This assay detects the presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV)-specific IgG antibody in serum. 

A negative result indicates the absence of HAV-specific IgG antibody, implying no past exposure or immunity to HAV infection.

A positive result indicates the presence of HAV-specific IgG antibody from either vaccination or past exposure to hepatitis A virus.