HEV antibody (IgG)
Liver Pathology Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Major epidemics of enterically transmitted hepatitis E have been found to occur in developing regions such as Asia, the former USSR, Central America and Africa. Sporadic cases have also been reported in developed nations, including Australia, the United Kingdom and the United states. Cases in developed nations have generally been associated with travel to endemic regions.
HEV antibody (IgG) test can be used in conjunction with HEV antibody (IgM) and HEV RNA in the management of HEV infection.
Reference Range
Negative and positive
Sample Requirements
200 ul serum or 4 – 5 ml clotted blood
Storage and Transport
Store whole blood at 2 – 25°C for no longer than 48 hours.
Separate serum from whole blood within 48 hours of collection. Serum or specimens may be stored at 2 – 8°C for up to 7 days or frozen at – 20°C or colder.
Whole blood must be transported at 2 – 25°C and processed within 48 hours collection. Serum may be transported at room temperature or 2 – 8°C.
Samples sent by post or by courier must be appropriately labelled and packaged in leak-proof plastic containers in accordance with Post Office regulations. Frozen sera must be similarly packaged and shipped in dry ice. All costs must be met by the sender.
Turnaround Time
3 - 6 working days
2 - 3 days for urgent samples
Factors affecting results or interpretation
(i) Diagnosis of an infectious disease should not be established on the basis of a single test result. A precise diagnosis, in fact, should take into consideration the patient’s clinical history, symptomatology, as well as serological data
(ii) Reliable results are dependent on adequate specimen collection, transport and storage.
(iii) Failure to separate whole blood within 6 hours collection.
(iv) Failure to label specimen with patient name, date of birth and precise identifier
(v) Failure to fill in a consultation-request form, in particular clinical information and doctor to be notified of findings.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrian.turner@kch.nhs.uk. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Dr. Dazhuang Shang, Principal Clinical Scientist/Service Manager T 020 3299 3732 or x2239
References
http://referrals.kch.nhs.uk/directory/liver/liver-pathology/hepatitis-testing-hts/
