Blood test for hepatitis: rules for delivery, decoding
The content of the article:
- Indications for testing for hepatitis
- Preparation for research
- Tests for hepatitis
-
Types of hepatitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
- Hepatitis F
- Hepatitis G
- Non-viral hepatitis
Analysis for hepatitis is one of the important laboratory tests used to diagnose the disease, as well as to monitor the course of treatment. Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver, usually of viral origin. It can have serious consequences - cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure. One of the reasons for the development of severe complications is the long-term asymptomatic course of hepatitis - some of its forms may not manifest themselves for decades, while the inflammatory process in the liver develops and gradually destroys it.
Indications for testing for hepatitis
The main symptoms that indicate possible hepatitis:
- discoloration of stool and urine (light stool and dark urine);
- nausea and vomiting;
- decreased appetite;
- pain in muscles and joints;
- pain and / or heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- increased body temperature of unexplained etiology;
- weakness and fatigue;
- yellowness of the skin, sclera.
One of the symptoms of possible hepatitis is scleral icterus One of the symptoms of possible hepatitis is scleral icterus.
In the absence of clinical signs, the reason for prescribing an analysis for hepatitis may be an increased concentration of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, a decrease in bile secretion, and contact with patients with hepatitis. This study is mandatory for employees of medical institutions during regular preventive examinations, for patients before surgery, for women during pregnancy, and for blood donors.
Preparation for research
To obtain reliable results, you need to properly prepare for the study. During the day, it is necessary to give up the use of fatty foods and alcoholic beverages, smoking, avoid excessive physical and mental stress.
Blood should be taken on an empty stomach, with at least eight hours after the last meal.
By time, the result of quality tests is usually ready on the day of donation or the next day. How many days a quantitative blood test for hepatitis is done depends on the laboratory and the techniques used. Usually, the test result can be obtained the next day. It is recommended to clarify the production time of the analysis in a specific laboratory.
Tests for hepatitis
In the laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis, qualitative and quantitative methods are used. Qualitative tests for hepatitis (including rapid tests) show the presence or absence of a disease in a patient, quantitative tests allow predicting the course of the disease, assessing the effectiveness of therapy.
Diagnosis of hepatitis A is carried out by detecting specific regions of the RNA of the virus in the blood by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), determination of anti-HAV immunoglobulins of class M (IgM), G (IgG). A blood test for these markers may also be needed to control the vaccination (the presence of antibodies indicates the formation of immunity to the disease). During the disease, a significant increase in the concentration of alanine aminotransferase in the blood is observed, which can be determined using a biochemical blood test.
To detect hepatitis B, a qualitative or quantitative determination of the hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg) is performed. The analysis is also used to monitor the condition of a patient with an already diagnosed disease. The PCR method, qualitative and / or quantitative tests for anti-HBc antibodies are also used to diagnose hepatitis B.
A positive test result for hepatitis C determines the presence of the virus RNA in the patient's blood. Quantitative PCR assays for HCV RNA are commonly used to evaluate treatment. If the test is positive, an analysis is performed to detect antibodies to various HCV antigens.
A false negative can be the result of laboratory diagnostics carried out at the initial stage of hepatitis.
Upon receipt of a positive test result for hepatitis, the patient is recommended to re-take the test to exclude a false-positive result, they also resort to additional tests [general and biochemical blood tests (so-called liver function tests), ultrasound of the abdominal organs, etc.]. In order to identify contraindications to the prescribed drugs, the concentration of hormones in the blood, analysis for autoimmune antibodies, ultrasound of the thyroid gland are determined.
Types of hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The main route of infection is alimentary (fecal-oral), often transmitted with water. Parenteral transmission of the virus, that is, through blood and blood products, is extremely rare. Among all acute hepatitis, hepatitis A accounts for about 40%, mortality does not exceed 0.4%. Children carry the disease much more easily than adults. The disease proceeds only acutely, without becoming chronic, and usually does not lead to irreversible damage to the liver. Symptoms of hepatitis A usually disappear within 14 days, and liver function is restored within 1.5 months. For preventive purposes, vaccination is carried out, it is recommended in regions with an increased incidence.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extremely resistant to physical and chemical factors - to high and low temperatures, repeated freezing and thawing, exposure to an acidic environment. In the external environment at room temperature it can be stored for several weeks. The virus is found in biological fluids of the human body (blood, urine, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions). The main route of transmission is parenteral. The contagiousness of hepatitis B is much higher than that of HIV. Infection with the hepatitis B virus often occurs through sexual contact, during medical and other invasive procedures (for example, tattooing), as well as in injection drug users. Domestic contamination is possible in the case of using shared razors, manicure supplies, toothbrushes, towels. At the same time, a significant danger is the presence of microtraumas of the skin and / or mucous membranes. Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic.
The massive death of liver cells caused by the inflammatory process leads to impaired liver function. Diagnosis of viral hepatitis B is carried out on the basis of the available clinical signs and is confirmed by the results of laboratory tests. In order to prevent hepatitis B, vaccination is carried out.
Hepatitis C
The disease is prone to chronicity and often does not have an acute form, doctors call it a "gentle killer", since hepatitis C is usually asymptomatic for a long time, often manifesting itself only at the stage of decompensation of liver functions, that is, the appearance of severe complications.
A blood test for hepatitis C often helps to identify a latent disease A blood test for hepatitis C often helps to identify a latent disease
The reservoir of infection is sick people and virus carriers. Infection is possible through sexual contact, blood transfusions, dental procedures and other invasive procedures. In addition to the results of the analysis to identify the pathogen (hepatitis C virus, HCV), an increase in the concentration of liver enzymes, an increase in the liver and spleen are usually taken into account when making a diagnosis. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential for patient survival.
Hepatitis D
Disease caused by hepatitis delta virus (hepatitis D virus, HDV). HDV infection often occurs in conjunction with HBV infection or in the presence of chronic hepatitis B. Patients infected with both viruses significantly increase the risk of developing severe liver failure. The hepatitis D virus is transmitted primarily through blood and blood components. HDV is detected exclusively in the presence of HBV, but not all people with hepatitis B are infected with HDV. Immunization against hepatitis B virus also provides protection against hepatitis D virus. The disease is relatively rare in developed countries.
Hepatitis E
Viral disease with the fecal-oral route of infection. It is predominantly benign, but poses a serious danger to women in late pregnancy, who may have an unfavorable outcome. Hepatitis E is mainly registered in hot countries with a low level of sanitary conditions; its pathogen is unstable in the external environment. The source of infection is a sick person. Prevention, first of all, consists in compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.
Hepatitis F
The existence of this type of hepatitis is suspected in view of the available epidemiological data and the results of preliminary studies.
Hepatitis G
Disease caused by hepatitis G virus (HGV). The route of transmission is parenteral, infection is possible through sexual contact, as well as with blood and its preparations. The presence of at least three genotypes of the virus is assumed. In the external environment, the hepatitis G virus is unstable. The disease usually develops when the patient has hepatitis B, D and / or C.
Non-viral hepatitis
In addition to viral, there are toxic hepatitis (alcoholic, drug), radiation hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis.
The effectiveness of therapy depends on the type of hepatitis, the stage of the disease, as well as on the general condition of the patient. Complete cure is usually possible with timely diagnosis and proper treatment.
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Anna Aksenova Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
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