Acute Viral Hepatitis Panel
Continuing Education Credits
This course provides a review of the acute hepatitis panel. This includes the tests involved, their methodologies, and how their results are interpreted. The course also provides a greater understanding of the Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, including their respective infection routes, treatment, prognosis, population at risk, and symptoms. At the end of the course, a look at the potential future of hepatitis testing is reviewed.
Objectives
- State reasons and indications for hepatitis testing.
- List the common causes of acute hepatitis.
- Discuss testing methods used for the evaluation of hepatitis infection and how results are interpreted.
Course Outline
- Acute Hepatitis
- Acute Hepatitis Statistics
- Acute Hepatitis Panel
- Patient exhibiting symptoms
- Purpose of the Acute Hepatitis Panel
- Symptoms Typical of Acute Hepatitis
- An common acute hepatitis panel assesses which of the following infections?
- Which of the following set of laboratory results is most consistent with acute hepatitis?
- Common causes of acute hepatitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A Overview
- Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Prognosis and Treatment
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B Overview
- Risk Factors for Hepatitis B
- Acute Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Prognosis
- Chronic Hepatitis B Prognosis
- Hepatitis B Treatment
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C Overview
- Hepatitis C Prognosis
- Hepatitis C Treatment
- Other Causes of Hepatitis
- Which Hepatitis virus is self-limiting, and typically subsides in several weeks?
- Chronic HBV is most prevalent in which patient population?
- Other Hepatitis Viruses
- Acute Viral Hepatitis Panel
- Overview of the Acute Viral Hepatitis Panel
- Testing Methods
- Immunoassay
- Enzyme Immunoassays
- Chemiluminescent Immunoassays
- Hepatitis A IgM Ab
- Assay and Interpretation
- Hepatitis B assays
- Hepatitis B Assays
- Hep B assay interpretations
- Interpretation of Hepatitis B assays
- If both HBsAg and HBc IgM are positive, what form of hepatitis does the patient have?
- A reactive HBc IgM assay is suggestive of acute HBV.
- Hepatitis C Ab
- Interpretation of HCV Results
- Interpretation of HCV Results, continued
- Future of Hepatitis Testing
- Efforts to Lower Hepatitis Rates
- Future of Hepatitis Testing
- Future of Hepatitis Testing, continued
- Conclusion
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, pathology residents, MLS students, and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter.
Author Information:
Drew Dismukes, MHA, MLS(ASCP) has over ten years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, and charge tech. He currently works at Parkwest Memorial Center. Drew holds a BS in Clinical Lab Science from the University of South Alabama and a MHA from Bellevue University.
Kevin F. Foley, PhD, DABCC, MT, SC is the director of clinical pathology for the Kaiser Permanente Northwest region. He also teaches clinical chemistry at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Foley earned his PhD in clinical pharmacology and toxicology at East Carolina School of Medicine in North Carolina. He received a PhD in clinical pharmacology and toxicology from Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC. He has been working in laboratory medicine for over 15 years, starting his career as a medical technologist.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alexandru holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and a MBA from the University of Georgia.
Course Description: After completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of acute hepatitis laboratory panels. Laboratory tests, the methodologies employed, and interpretation of results will be covered. The student should also gain a greater understanding of the public health implications of Hepatitis A, B, and C including their prevalence, symptoms, and treatment.