Viral hepatitis? Which test should I order?

BACKGROUND

There are a multitude of viruses that may cause hepatitis. The laboratory diagnosis of viral hepatitis is important in order to plan immediate patient management, determine treatment choices and provide patient education in order to limit transmission of infections to others.

OBJECTIVE

This article outlines laboratory investigations that may be routinely ordered to assist in determining the etiology of viral hepatitis and summarises some preventive and treatment strategies that may be adopted.

DISCUSSION

Investigations to determine exposure to infection are routinely performed and include simple serological tests, while tests to follow the course of infection or response to treatment may involve newer molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genotyping and viral quantification.