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Hepatitis E antibody profiles in serum and urine
M S Joshi1, A M Walimbe, V A Arankalle
1Hepatitis Division, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
|April 23, 2002
Summary
Urine specimens are inadequate for detecting hepatitis E antibodies, as anti-HEV IgM, IgG, and IgA were largely absent or showed low concordance with serum results in hepatitis E patients. This study highlights the limitations of urine for diagnosing hepatitis E infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection diagnosis relies on serological testing.
- Serum is the standard specimen, but alternative, less invasive options are sought.
- Urine's utility for detecting HEV antibodies requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of urine specimens for detecting anti-HEV antibodies.
- To compare anti-HEV antibody profiles in paired urine and serum samples.
- To evaluate HEV antibody detection in various patient groups and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant HEV protein (55 kD).
- Testing of paired serum and urine specimens from hepatitis E patients, non-E hepatitis patients, nonhepatic disease patients, and healthy individuals.
- Capture ELISA for total IgM, IgG, and IgA levels in urine.
Main Results:
- 100% uronegativity for anti-HEV IgM in confirmed hepatitis E patients.
- Absence or very low levels of total urinary IgM in hepatitis E patients.
- Low concordance for anti-HEV IgG (21.42%) and IgA (49.33%) between urine and serum.
- HEV-specific antibodies detected in serum were not found in urine.
Conclusions:
- Urine is inadequate for detecting hepatitis E virus-specific antibodies.
- Urinary IgM is absent or at very low levels during HEV infection.
- Serum remains the preferred specimen for diagnosing hepatitis E infections.