Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies
The Hepatitis E Virus IgG and IgM Antibodies blood test helps identify recent, current, or past Hepatitis E infection. It is an important investigation for unexplained liver inflammation.
Turnaround time
6 business days
Biomarkers count
2
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Overview of the Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Test
The Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies blood test assesses antibody responses associated with Hepatitis E Virus infection.
The London Blood Tests product records this as 1 grouped biomarker profile: Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies.
Hepatitis E Virus, or HEV, causes inflammation of the liver.
In many people infection is self-limiting, but disease severity varies according to viral genotype, pregnancy, immune status and underlying liver health.
IgM antibodies are principally associated with relatively recent infection and are commonly used when acute Hepatitis E is suspected.
IgG antibodies generally indicate previous immune exposure and can persist after infection.
Interpreting IgG and IgM together can therefore provide information about the likely stage of infection.
However, antibody results are not perfect.
False-positive or cross-reactive results can occur, while immunocompromised individuals may have weaker antibody responses.
Where acute infection remains strongly suspected, or where chronic Hepatitis E is a concern in an immunosuppressed patient, HEV RNA PCR can provide direct molecular evidence of active infection.
Hepatitis E is often associated with contaminated food or water.
In the UK and other developed countries, zoonotic transmission, including exposure through inadequately cooked pork products, is also recognised.
Pregnancy deserves particular caution because Hepatitis E can be substantially more severe during pregnancy in certain epidemiological settings.
The result should therefore be interpreted alongside symptoms, travel and food history, immune status and Liver Function Tests.
What Does the Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Test Check?
The test assesses the antibody response to Hepatitis E Virus and can provide information about recent or previous HEV infection. This test measures 1 grouped biomarker profile.
Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies
Detects IgG and IgM antibody responses associated with Hepatitis E Virus exposure, supporting assessment of recent or previous HEV infection.
Who May Benefit From the Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Test?
HEV testing may be useful when acute hepatitis is suspected and more common explanations have not fully accounted for the presentation.
People with unexplained acute hepatitis - HEV is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis.
People with jaundice after relevant travel or food exposure - Epidemiological history can support clinical suspicion.
People with unexpectedly raised ALT and AST - Viral hepatitis may form part of the differential diagnosis.
People who have recently travelled to areas with poor sanitation or contaminated-water risk - HEV can spread through faecally contaminated water.
People with relevant food exposure - Zoonotic food-borne HEV infection can occur.
Pregnant women with suspected acute hepatitis - Hepatitis E can be particularly serious during pregnancy and requires prompt clinical assessment.
Immunosuppressed people with persistent abnormal liver tests - Chronic HEV can rarely occur, particularly in transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed patients.
People with a previous uncertain Hepatitis E result - Repeat serology or molecular testing may help clarify infection status.
How to Prepare
Do not delay clinical assessment for significant jaundice or acute liver illness.
Where serology is uncertain or chronic infection is possible, molecular HEV RNA testing may be required.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Test
Hepatitis E can resemble other forms of acute viral hepatitis and cannot be identified from symptoms alone.
Jaundice - Yellowing of the skin or eyes can occur during symptomatic Hepatitis E.
Dark urine - Increased Bilirubin can produce dark urine.
Pale stools - Altered bile handling can change stool colour.
Loss of appetite - Acute viral hepatitis commonly affects appetite.
Nausea or vomiting - Gastrointestinal symptoms can occur.
Right upper abdominal discomfort - Liver inflammation can cause tenderness or discomfort.
Marked fatigue - Systemic tiredness is common in acute hepatitis.
Joint pains or rash during an acute hepatitis-like illness - These can occur in Hepatitis E but are not specific.
Hepatitis symptoms overlap substantially with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and several non-viral liver conditions.
Jaundice during pregnancy or severe acute illness requires prompt medical assessment rather than waiting for routine private testing.
How to Book Your Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Test
The Hepatitis E antibody test can be booked privately for serological assessment of possible HEV infection.
Choose the Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies
Select the individual Hepatitis E antibody profile online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood specimen.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes specialist Hepatitis E IgG and IgM antibody assessment.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted with symptoms, liver markers and exposure history.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected specialist laboratory turnaround for Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies is approximately 5 days after the sample reaches the laboratory.
HEV serology is more specialised than routine Liver Function Testing.
The laboratory performs antibody analysis, quality-control procedures and result authorisation before reporting.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the blood-collection time.
An equivocal result or the need for additional HEV molecular investigation can extend the complete diagnostic process.
Understanding Your Results
Interpretation depends on the IgM and IgG antibody pattern together with symptoms and timing.
An IgM-positive pattern can support recent or acute HEV infection.
IgG indicates previous immune exposure and can remain detectable after the acute infection has resolved.
A positive antibody result should be considered with liver enzymes and clinical history.
In immunocompromised people, antibody responses can be less reliable.
Where active or chronic HEV infection needs definitive molecular assessment, HEV RNA PCR may be required.
A negative antibody result obtained very early in illness may also need reassessment if clinical suspicion remains high.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private specialist HEV serology for people undergoing investigation of acute or previous Hepatitis E infection.
Measures HEV antibody response - IgG and IgM provide complementary information about exposure and timing.
Relevant to unexplained acute hepatitis - HEV is an important cause of liver inflammation.
Useful after appropriate travel or food exposure - Epidemiological information can be considered during interpretation.
Relevant to immunosuppressed patients - Persistent liver abnormalities may require additional molecular investigation.
Professional venous blood collection - Clinic and suitable mobile collection are available.
Specialist virology analysis - Samples undergo dedicated Hepatitis E serology.
Secure private reporting - Results are delivered confidentially.
Clear pricing - The Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies test costs £199.
Private Hepatitis E IgG/IgM Antibodies Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Hepatitis E antibody testing for people requiring investigation of possible recent or previous HEV infection.
The test costs £199 and contains 1 grouped antibody profile.
Results are expected approximately 5 days after laboratory receipt.
The result should be interpreted alongside liver markers and the clinical context, with HEV RNA considered where active infection remains uncertain.