HEPATITIS – A – ANTIBODY

Hepatitis infections present a global health challenge, with distinct characteristics necessitating varied diagnostic approaches. Hepatitis A, prevalent in many developing nations, spreads through contaminated water via the fecal–oral route. Diagnostic testing for hepatitis A involves the identification of IgM anti-hepatitis A antibodies, signaling recent infection, and the appearance of IgG antibodies during the convalescent phase. Hepatitis E, also enterically transmitted, can be transmitted through blood transfusions in endemic areas. Chronic hepatitis E is an uncommon outcome, except in immunosuppressed conditions, with pregnant women facing elevated mortality risks. Diagnosis relies on PCR for virus detection or IgM antibodies against hepatitis E, given challenges associated with using antibody tests alone. Hepatitis D, a defective pathogen reliant on hepatitis B for infection, induces a specific immune response reflected in IgM and IgG anti-hepatitis D antibodies. In summary, the laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis encompasses a diverse array of tests tailored to the distinctive characteristics of each hepatitis virus.