HEPATITIS A ANTIBODY, IGG

LAB3055

Anti-HAV IgG

7.0 mL Red Top Tube

2.0 mL

Grossly hemolyzed or contaminated samples

Set Up:Monday - Friday Report Available:1 DAY

Hepatitis A IgG

Non-reactive

Following a 28 to 45 day incubation period, an antibody (IgM) response to the Hepatitis A antigen occurs during the late acute phase of this infection; at the same time symptoms appear. In contrast to the B virus, Hepatitis A antigen is generally shed prior to the onset of symptoms via the feces. Its detection in blood is generally not possible during the acute phase. After symptoms subside, IgM antibody is readily detectable for 3 to 12 weeks and its presence is indicative of recent infection. A second antibody (IgG), also specific to Hepatitis A antigen, will appear following the acute period and usually is detectable for a lifetime. This marker signals the fact that an individual was previously exposed to Hepatitis A and is now considered recovered and immune to further type-A infection. The presence of IgM antibody to Hepatitis A virus (HAV) indicates recent infection. Although serial testing of patients with confirmed HAV infection is usually not indicated, seroepidemiologic studies sometimes are performed in cases where IgG titer or immune status is to be determined. In this case, a positive test for anti-HAV and a negative test for anti-HAV IgM are indicative of presence of IgG antibody and immunity.