Viral hepatitis: A brief introduction, review of management, advances and challenges

Table 2 Diagnosing hepatitis A-E

Hepatitis	Serological testing	Molecular testing (via PCR), quantitative
A	Anti-HAV IgM (acute); Anti-HAV IgG (previous infection, vaccination); Note incubation period of 28 d[92]	HAV RNA
B	Anti-HBc (contact with HBV infection); HBsAg (current infection) appears 1-3 wk post exposure, duration > 24 wk denotes chronicity; Anti-HBS (vaccination, cleared HBV infection); HBeAg (high replication phase (> 10000 IU/mL); Anti-HBe (low replication phase (< 10000 IU/mL); Note incubation 90 d (ranges 45-160 d); Window period 1: first about 8 d of infection; Window period 2: clearance of HBsAg during this period Anti-HBc IgM is detectable[93]	HBV DNA
C	Anti-HCV: Note incubation 6-7 wk (ranges 2 wk to 6 mo)[93]	HCV RNA
D	Anti- HDV IgG	HDV RNA
E	Anti-HEV IgM and IgG and IgA	HEV RNA

HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; HDV: Hepatitis D virus; HEV: Hepatitis E virus; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen.