🧪 1. Anti-HCV IgM (Hepatitis C Virus)

❓ Why is it done?

• To detect recent or ongoing Hepatitis C infection
• Typically ordered with or after HCV RNA testing
• May support diagnosis in symptomatic patients

📊 Normal Range

• Negative: No acute HCV infection
• Positive: Suggests recent or active HCV infection

📈 Interpretation

Note: IgM testing for HCV has limited sensitivity; HCV RNA PCR is the gold standard.

🧠 Associated Organs

• Liver: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure
• Risk of chronic infection

🔄 Follow-up Tests

• HCV RNA PCR (qualitative and quantitative)
• HCV Genotyping
• LFTs (ALT, AST, Bilirubin)
• Anti-HCV Total

✅ Fasting Required? → ❌ No

🧪 2. Anti-HAV IgM (Hepatitis A Virus)

❓ Why is it done?

• To diagnose acute hepatitis A
• Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, jaundice, fever, elevated liver enzymes

📊 Normal Range

• Negative: No current Hepatitis A
• Positive: Recent/acute Hepatitis A infection

📈 Interpretation

IgM appears within 2–3 weeks of infection and declines after ~3 months.

🧠 Associated Organs

• Liver – self-limited hepatitis, rarely fulminant

🔄 Follow-up Tests

• LFTs (ALT, AST, Bilirubin)
• HAV Total (IgM + IgG for past exposure/immunity)

✅ Fasting Required? → ❌ No

🧪 3. Anti-HBc IgM (Hepatitis B Core Antibody - IgM)

❓ Why is it done?

• Detects acute Hepatitis B infection
• Useful when HBsAg is positive and differentiating acute vs chronic HBV

📊 Normal Range

• Negative: No acute HBV infection
• Positive: Acute or recent HBV infection

📈 Interpretation

Appears early and disappears in 6 months; its presence strongly suggests acute Hep B.

🧠 Associated Organs

• Liver: Acute hepatitis B, fulminant hepatitis

🔄 Follow-up Tests

• HBsAg
• HBeAg
• HBV DNA PCR
• LFTs

✅ Fasting Required? → ❌ No

🧪 4. Anti-HEV IgM (Hepatitis E Virus)

❓ Why is it done?

• To diagnose acute Hepatitis E infection, especially in:
  • Pregnant women
  • Travelers
  • Outbreak zones with poor sanitation

📊 Normal Range

• Negative: No acute infection
• Positive: Suggests recent or ongoing infection

📈 Interpretation

IgM appears during acute phase, declines in weeks.

🧠 Associated Organs & Risks

• Liver: Acute hepatitis
• Pregnancy: High mortality if infected in 3rd trimester

🔄 Follow-up Tests

• LFTs
• Anti-HEV IgG
• HEV RNA (rarely)

✅ Fasting Required? → ❌ No

📝 Summary Table