Blood testing
Common markers for diagnosis and assessment of viral hepatitis
| Marker | Clinical interpretation for a positive result |
| Anti-HAV | Past or present infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) or vaccination against HAV |
| HBsAg | Presence of hepatitis B virus infection |
| HBeAg | Active replication of hepatitis B virus in an infected person; Marker of high infectivity |
| Anti-HBs | Protection from hepatitis B virus infection acquired by recovery from infection or vaccination |
| Anti-HBe | Low replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in an infected person if viral load is low; Infection with HBV variants if viral load is high |
| Anti-HBc | Previous or ongoing natural infection with hepatitis B virus |
| Anti-HCV | Active or past hepatitis C virus infection |
| Anti-HDV | Acute or chronic infection with hepatitis D virus |
| Anti-HEV | Past or present infection with hepatitis E virus |
Sampling methods
To diagnose hepatitis virus infection, a test for virus and immunity markers is normally performed on a blood sample, which can be collected by venepuncture or fingerstick.
- Venepuncture sampling
Venepuncture is a common way to collect blood from adults. Blood collection usually takes place from a superficial vein in the upper limb. The venepuncture procedure is performed by medical professionals or trained phlebotomists. - Fingerstick sampling
Fingerstick sampling involves taking a small amount of blood from the end of a finger by using a lancet. Blood can be collected into a microtube or spotted onto a filter paper card to air-dry before testing. This approach is much simpler than the venepuncture procedure and the collection of blood specimens can be self-administrated under clear instructions. Owing to its simplicity and minimal invasiveness, dried blood spot samples have been used for screening some common infectious diseases.
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