Hepatitis A IgM Antibody

Test Code

HAVM

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB798

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Not defined
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: >7days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, hemolyzed, QNS, exceeds specimen/stability requirements.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

See laboratory report

Clinical Significance

Transmission of the Hepatitis A virus is via the fecal-oral route, and infection occurs mainly due to contaminated food or poor sanitary conditions. The virus replicates in the liver and is shed in the stool. Incubation period ranges from 15-40 days. Symptoms last approximately 2 weeks and include hepatomegaly, jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances. At the onset of symptoms, antibodies to HAV are detectable, largely compromised of IgM subclass. HAV IgM is detectable for 3-6 months, and then subsides.
The presence of HAV IgM indicates ongoing or recent infection and is the most useful serological marker for distinguishing acute hepatitis A virus infection.

Performing Laboratory

Inova Laboratories

2832 Juniper Street

Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: March 8, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 8, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.