Unveiling the Truth About Hepatitis E and High Risk Groups

8. Diagnosis

Diagnosis is challenging if the patient has not traveled to or resided in an area with a high prevalence of infection because hepatitis E is not distinguishable from other forms of viral hepatitis. Where available, doctors perform tests to determine the presence of IgM antibodies to the virus in the patient’s blood. Additional testing includes RT-PCR, used to detect hepatitis E virus RNA in the stool or blood. Although the FDA has not yet approved testing methods for hepatitis E in the U.S., commercial research laboratories are performing serologic testing. Ongoing research continues for effective methods of diagnosis.