From the Guidelines
A Hepatitis panel test typically includes markers for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, with additional tests for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E in some cases.
Hepatitis B Markers
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): indicates current infection 1
- Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb): indicates immunity due to vaccination or past infection 1
- Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) IgG: indicates past or current infection 1
- Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) IgM: indicates acute infection 1
- Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg): indicates high viral replication 1
- Hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb): indicates low viral replication 1
- Hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA): indicates viral load and replication 1
Hepatitis C Marker
- Hepatitis C antibody: indicates current or past infection 1
- Hepatitis C viral RNA (HCV RNA): indicates viral load and replication 1
- Hepatitis C genotype: helps guide treatment decisions 1
Hepatitis A and E Markers
- Hepatitis A virus IgM antibody: indicates acute infection 1
- Hepatitis A virus IgG antibody: indicates past infection or immunity 1
- Hepatitis E virus IgM antibody: indicates acute infection 1
- Hepatitis E virus IgG antibody: indicates past infection or immunity 1 Some key points to note:
- The presence of HBsAg for more than 6 months indicates chronic infection 1
- HBeAg positivity indicates high viral replication, while HBeAb positivity indicates low viral replication 1
- HBV DNA quantification is important for monitoring treatment response and disease progression 1
- Testing for HCV and HIV coinfection is recommended in patients with chronic hepatitis B 1
- Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B who are not immune 1
From the Research
Hepatitis Panel Test Markers
A Hepatitis panel test is used to diagnose infections caused by hepatitis viruses. The markers or infections that a Hepatitis panel test looks for include:
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV) 2, 3
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) 2, 4, 5
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) 2, 6, 4
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV) 2, 6
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) 2, 6, 3
- Hepatitis G virus (HGV) 2, 6
Serological Markers
The serological markers used to diagnose these infections include:
- Anti-HAV IgM antibodies for HAV infection 2, 3
- HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, IgM anti-HBc, and HBV DNA for HBV infection 4, 5
- Anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA for HCV infection 2, 6, 4
- Anti-HDV and HDV RNA for HDV infection 2
- Anti-HEV IgM antibodies for HEV infection 2, 3
- HGV/RNA for HGV infection 2, 6
Importance of Markers
These markers are important for diagnosing acute and chronic infections, as well as for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment 4, 5. However, the interpretation of these markers can be complex, and false positive or false negative results can occur 4. Therefore, it is essential to use a combination of serological and molecular tests to confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis virus infections 5.