Anti-hepatitis A virus Total antibodies (HAVT)

OD Ratio

• Positive :<0.90
• Equivocal:0.91-1.11
• Positive :>=1.2

• Hepatitis A is a highly contagious infection of the liver caused by Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It accounts for 20- 25% of hepatitis worldwide and is characterized by inflammation and enlargement of the liver. Hepatitis A can cause acute disease that typically lasts 1 to 2 months, but it does not cause a chronic infection. It occurs sporadically and once infected lifelong immunity is assumed.
• Hepatitis A spreads most commonly from person to person by faecal or oral route, Ingestion of contaminated food and water. HAV is excreted in a high-level form in the faeces for a short period of time before the onset of symptoms
• The biochemical changes seen in Hepatitis A includes serum bilirubin levels usually 5-10 times normal, serum AST and ALT increased to hundreds for 1-3 weeks
• There are two different Hepatitis A antibody IgM and IgG. When a person is exposed to hepatitis A, the body produces IgM antibodies. These antibodies develop 2 to 3 weeks after being infected and are detectable before the onset of symptoms and persist for 3-6 months.
• IgM antibody test is used to detect early or recent infections and to diagnose the disease in people with symptoms of acute hepatitis
• Hepatitis A IgG antibodies are produced within 1 to 2 weeks of the IgM antibodies and usually persist for life, providing protection against recurrent infection by the same virus . IgG test is used to detect past HAV infections and occasionally used to determine if an individual has developed immunity from a previous infection. It will also be positive after receiving the vaccine,
• Total HAV tests detect both IgM and IgG and thus may be used to identify both current and past infections.
• Positive HAV total and negative HAV IgM indicates previous exposure to HAV, recovery and immunity to HAV