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Hepatitis E test: IgG and IgM antibodies to HEV in blood
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Viral hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), an RNA-containing virus. The disease is typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, primarily water. The incubation period of the disease is about 35 days. The clinical course of acute viral hepatitis E is similar to that of viral hepatitis A. The disease is significantly more severe in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester. HEV RNA appears in the blood 2-3 weeks after infection. Viremia indicates the fact of infection and lasts on average for 3 months, less often - up to 6 months.
For specific diagnostics of viral hepatitis E, the ELISA method is used, based on the detection of IgM antibodies (anti-HEV IgM), which appear in the blood 3-4 weeks after infection (10-12 days from the onset of clinical manifestations of the disease). Detection of anti-HEV IgM in the blood serves as laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis. They are detected in 90% of patients with acute infection within 1-4 weeks from the onset of the disease. Anti-HEV IgM disappear from the blood within several months. After 3 months from the onset of the disease, antibodies are detected only in 50% of patients, and after 6-7 months - in 6-7%. IgG antibodies in viral hepatitis E are detected in the blood at the height of the disease, during the recovery period their number reaches the highest values (detected in 93-95% of patients). The presence of only IgG antibodies cannot be considered confirmation of the diagnosis of viral hepatitis E.
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