Hepatitis E – Serology

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested Required Requisition(s) Specimen Type Minimum Volume Collection Kit

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

Serum

1.0 ml

Blood, clotted - vacutainer tubes (SST)

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

Plasma

1.0 ml

Blood, clotted - vacutainer tubes (EDTA)

Submission and Collection Notes

1

Ensure the following fields are completed on the requisition if diagnostic testing is requested:

  • Clinical Information
  • Onset date
  • Travel to subtropical areas (South Asia, North Africa and Central America)
  • Indicate if the patient is pregnant

Limitations

Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Centrifuge if using SST. Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Hepatitis E serology testing is a referred out test and is performed at the National Microbiology laboratory in Winnipeg.

Turnaround time is up to 14 days.

Test Methods

Hepatitis E serology test method used is EIA (Enzyme Immunoassay) for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to Hepatitis E virus.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

contact lab

Contact Laboratory Customer Service

Laboratory Services

customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

Updated 20 July 2020