Anti HDV Antibody Test

HDV (Hepatitis D virus) causes the disease Hepatitis D. The virus is a small spherical enveloped virusoid. However, of all the five hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E), HDV is said to be a sub viral satellite. It depends upon the presence of Hepatitis B virus. Liver diseases that are linked to Hepatitis B and D viruses are more severe than those patients infected with hepatitis B virus. This is one of the primary reasons why this test is necessary. Anti HDV antibody testing is done when a patient complains of abrupt onset of nausea, anorexia, jaundice, liver disease. About 20 million of the population is infected by HDV. The young generation comprising of the age group 20s and 30s are mostly infected with the virus. Presence of antibody Hepatitis D and HBsAg shows a co-infection. Such patients are susceptible to chronic hepatitis. Therefore anti HDV antibody testing is recommended for all patients with Hepatitis B infected virus. There can be acute HDV infection when there is a co-infection with HDV and HBV viruses, Superinfection due to chronic HBV carriers and HDV, and thirdly by hepatocytes by HDV.

The test does not call for any preparation as such. It is one of the safe and painless tests. There is no need for consent form too. However, it is recommended that the doctor must be aware of the medicines you take. There may be medicines that may affect the result of the test. Hence, letting the doctor know about it is advisable.

The test aids in – Diagnosing HDV infection in the person. It helps to determine the rate of anti HDV antibody testing in the patients infected with HBV. Through the test, it aids in interferon treatment. To investigate the possible association of anti HDV antibody IgM with grade and the stage of liver disease.

Blood of 3 ml is drawn from the arm using Serum separator tube. A tube is attached to the needle to collect blood into it. The serum then collected is immediately separated by transferring 1ml to standard transport tube. The separation must be done at the earliest or maximum within 2 hours. The collected and separated serum is then frozen at -80°C and transported to the lab for further investigation. The specimen is brought it to laboratory testing section of serology-sendouts. The test turnaround takes 2 to 8 days.