Hepatitis E Virus Serology

Test information: Used in the diagnosis of acute Hepatitis E (HEV) infection. Reactive samples are sent to the reference laboratory for antibody confirmation and RNA detection. HEV IgM is used as part of the Non-Invasive Liver Screen (NILS) for patients with amino alanine transferase (ALT) levels >300 IU/mL. Usually detectable at the onset of symptoms or abnormal liver function. This may be 2 to 9 weeks after exposure. May be undetectable in acute cases and false positives can occur. Strongly positive results are rarely detected 3 months after the onset of symptoms. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HEV.

Availability: Available locally Monday - Friday during routine hours: 08:45 - 17:15.

Turnaround Time: 3 Days

Specimen Type(s)

• Clotted blood;

Other Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

N/A

Specimen Container - Adult

• Gold Top SST BD;

Specimen Container - Paediatric

• Plain Top Sarstedt;

Analytes

• Hepatitis E Virus RNA;
• N/A;

Part of a test profile?

No

Volume (min) of sample to be sent to laboratory

5 - 10mL

Patient Preparation, Sample Handling and Transport

• Minimum-clotting time 30 minutes.
• Specimens should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible.
• Outside of normal hours samples should be refrigerated (2 °C to 8 °C).

Maximum add on time

N/A

Units and Reference Ranges / Interpretation

Results: Negative / Positive

UKAS number

8869

UKAS accredited test?

Yes

Comments

Confirmations referred daily Monday to Friday to PHE Colindale.

If you have any queries about a test or results interpretation please contact us.