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22706 Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM

Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
Test Code: A-M
Synonyms/Keywords
Hep A Virus Antibody - IgM, Anti-HAV (IgM), Hep A IgM-Ab​
Useful For
As an aid in the diagnosis of acute or recent infections with Hepatitis A virus.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT)​ 1 mL​ 0.4 mL​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions
Separate serum from the blood within 60 minutes of venipuncture and transport in an aliquot tube.   Specimen must be free of particulate matter including fibrin. Store samples at 2 to 8°C if not tested within 8 hours of collection. The frozen specimens should be completely thawed, thoroughly mixed and centrifuged before analysis.
 
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay. It is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Ambient​ <8 hours​
Refrigerate​ 2 days
Frozen​ at -20 °C 6 months
​Frozen at -70 °C ​>6 months
Rejection Criteria
​Specimens containing precipitate
​Cadaver specimens
Heat-inactivated specimens​
​Body fluids other than serum
Interference
Heterophilic antibodies in human serum can react with the immunoglobulins included in the assay components causing interference with immunoassay. Patients receiving therapy with high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day), should be tested 8 hours after last biotin administration.
 
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 1 day​
Microparticle Chemiluminometric Immunoassay
/Siemens Centaur
Test Information

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is endemic throughout the world, however, occurring most commonly in areas of poor hygiene and low socioeconomic conditions. The virus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route, and it is spread by close person-to-person contact and by food- and water-borne epidemics. Viral spread by parenteral routes (e.g., 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.

Limitations
• Test cannot be used to determine immune status to Hepatitis A.
• The results determined by different assays from different manufacturers can vary due to differences in assay specificities and cannot be used interchangeably.
• Assay performance characteristics have not been evaluated for immunocompromised, immunosuppressed, infants, children or adolescent patients.
• A reactive or positive result does not exclude co-infection by another hepatitis virus.

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Reported as "Reactive" or "Non-reactive" or "Equivocal".
Interpretation

Serological diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis A depends on the detection of specific anti-HAV IgM. Its presence in the patient's serum indicates a recent exposure to HAV. Anti-HAV IgM becomes detectable in the blood within 2 weeks after infection, persisting at elevated levels for about 2 months before declining to undetectable levels by 6 months. Positive results should be correlated with the patient’s clinical history.

Hepatitis A is a reportable disease in Wisconsin and other states.

Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86709   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Hep A Virus Antibody - IgM, Anti-HAV (IgM), Hep A IgM-Ab​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
Centricity​

​a. Hepatitis A IgM

b. Hep A Ab-Igm (Anti-HAV)

Cerner Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
​Clinical Order Manager ​Hepatitis A Virus Ab-IgM
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT)​ 1 mL​ 0.4 mL​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing
Separate serum from the blood within 60 minutes of venipuncture and transport in an aliquot tube.   Specimen must be free of particulate matter including fibrin. Store samples at 2 to 8°C if not tested within 8 hours of collection. The frozen specimens should be completely thawed, thoroughly mixed and centrifuged before analysis.
 
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay. It is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Ambient​ <8 hours​
Refrigerate​ 2 days
Frozen​ at -20 °C 6 months
​Frozen at -70 °C ​>6 months
Rejection Criteria
​Specimens containing precipitate
​Cadaver specimens
Heat-inactivated specimens​
​Body fluids other than serum
Interference
Heterophilic antibodies in human serum can react with the immunoglobulins included in the assay components causing interference with immunoassay. Patients receiving therapy with high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day), should be tested 8 hours after last biotin administration.
 
High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay.
Useful For
As an aid in the diagnosis of acute or recent infections with Hepatitis A virus.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ Reported as "Reactive" or "Non-reactive" or "Equivocal".
Interpretation

Serological diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis A depends on the detection of specific anti-HAV IgM. Its presence in the patient's serum indicates a recent exposure to HAV. Anti-HAV IgM becomes detectable in the blood within 2 weeks after infection, persisting at elevated levels for about 2 months before declining to undetectable levels by 6 months. Positive results should be correlated with the patient’s clinical history.

Hepatitis A is a reportable disease in Wisconsin and other states.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 1 day​
Microparticle Chemiluminometric Immunoassay
/Siemens Centaur
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86709   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.