HCV Ab

. Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver.
. HAV is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person. Poor sanitation and hygiene are common risk factors.
. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice, and normal/pale stools. While the infection is usually self-limiting, it can sometimes lead to severe complications, especially in older adults or those with underlying liver disease.
. HAV IgM antibodies indicate an acute or recent infection, as they appear early during the infection and usually disappear within 3–6 months.
. HAV IgG antibodies indicate past infection or immunity, from prior exposure or vaccination. IgG antibodies typically remain present for life, providing long-term protection against reinfection.

The Hepatitis B (HBV) genotype sequencing test analyzes the HBV DNA to determine the virus’s genotype. It can help determine how a patient will respond to therapy and how their disease will progress.

. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a highly contagious virus that infects the liver, causing inflammation and potentially leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, sexual contact, sharing needles, from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, and through contaminated medical equipment or blood transfusions.
. Symptoms of HBV infection include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, and nausea, although many infections, especially in early stages, are asymptomatic.
. HBcAb detects past or current (acute or chronic) HBV infection and includes both IgM and IgG antibodies. It does not appear after vaccination, as the vaccine does not contain the core antigen and is used in HBV screening, especially for blood donors or before organ transplantation.
Note: HBcAb is usually interpreted alongside other tests like HBsAg, HBV DNA, and liver function tests, for a comprehensive evaluation.

. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a highly contagious virus that infects the liver, causing inflammation and potentially leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, sexual contact, sharing needles, from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, and through contaminated medical equipment or blood transfusions.
. Symptoms of HBV infection include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, and nausea, although many infections, especially in early stages, are asymptomatic.
. HBsAb is a protein produced by the immune system in response to the HBsAg. it indicates that a person has developed immunity to Hepatitis B, either from a prior infection with recovery, when HBsAg is no longer detectable, or from successful vaccination.
. Clinically, HBsAb is useful in screening to determine whether an individual is immune to HBV or requires vaccination, and it is also used to monitor immunity levels in high-risk populations, such as healthcare workers. Furthermore, it helps differentiate between immunity acquired through vaccination and that acquired through natural infection when interpreted alongside other markers like HBcAb.
. A protective level of HBsAb is typically considered ≥10 mIU/mL, which indicates adequate immunity (WHO).

The COBAS TaqMan HBV Test is a real-time PCR assay that can detect Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and determine its genotype.