CAP Pro Course - Immunology - Hepatitis Testing

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Author: Kevin F. Foley, PhD, DABCC, MT, SC
Reviewer: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Define hepatitis and compare and contrast viruses A, B, and C.
  • Explain the use of hepatitis A antibody testing and aspects of hepatitis A infection.
  • Explain the use of hepatitis B antibodies for diagnosis and evaluation of immunity.
  • Discuss the testing used in hepatitis C infection diagnosis and monitoring.
  • Discuss safety measures to minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including bloodborne hepatitis viruses.

Course Outline

  • Define hepatitis and compare and contrast viruses A, B and C.
      • What is Hepatitis?
      • Hepatitis Testing
      • The Players
      • Liver Enzymes
      • Which of the following hepatitis viruses is least endemic in the US?
      • Which of the following is typical of acute viral hepatitis infections?
      • A laboratorian is asked to help design a hepatitis panel for their institution. Which of the following tests would not make sense for such a panel?
      • A laboratory supervisor is asked to adopt a vaccination policy for her laboratory. Which of the following vaccines could she offer to her staff who ar...
  • Explain the use of HepA antibody testing and aspects of HepA infection.
      • Hepatitis A (HepA)
      • Hepatitis A (HepA) Testing
      • Which of the following is true concerning hepatitis A (HepA) infection?
      • Which of the following is likely to be true 50 days post-infection with hepatitis A (HepA)?
      • Given the lab results below, what is the most likely condition of the patient?Anti-HAV(Total): positiveAnti-HAV(IgM): negative
  • Explain the use of HepB antibodies for diagnosis and evaluation of immunity.
      • Hepatitis B (HepB)
      • Tests for Hepatitis B (HepB)
      • Hepatitis B (HepB) Markers: Interpretation
      • Vaccination
      • A laboratory runs a hepatitis B (HepB) serologic panel on a patient with the following results. HBsAg: Positive Anti-HBc (total): Positive Anti-HBs: ...
      • A laboratorian is asked to validate a laboratory assay for an acute marker of hepatitis B (HepB) infection. Which assay would not meet this request?
      • A laboratory scientist is asked to help interpret a hepatitis B result. A patient has a positive anti-HBe result. What can be said about this patient?
      • A medical laboratory scientist received the hepatitis B vaccination before starting employment at her laboratory. Which laboratory test results would ...
  • Discuss the testing used in HepC infection diagnosis and monitoring.
      • Hepatitis C (HepC)
      • Genotypes
      • Tests for Hepatitis C (HepC)
      • Treatment
      • Hepatitis D (HepD) and Hepatitis E (HepE)
      • Which of the following statements is false?
      • A medical laboratory scientist working in a US laboratory is asked by a new physician if her laboratory can perform hepatitis D (HepD) testing on an u...
      • Which of the following is true concerning hepatitis C genotype testing?
      • How would you best explain the following results?Anti-HCV (IgG): negativeHepatitis C RNA: 52,344 IU/mL
      • What is indicated by the following test results?Anti-HCV: positiveHepatitis C RNA: negative (<15 IU/L)
      • A laboratory supervisor is asked to set up testing for a new hepatology service at their medical center. Which of the following would not be a valid c...
  • Explain the basic principles of immunoassay methods and the use of a cut-off value to determine positive and negative test results.
      • Determining Positive and Negative Hepatitis Test Results
      • Immunoassay Methods
      • A medical laboratory scientist performs an anti-HCV test on a serum sample using an immunoassay method. The test result is equal to the established cu...
      • A medical laboratory scientist repeats an anti-HCV test that was initially equal to the cut-off value in duplicate and receives nonreactive results on...
      • A medical laboratory scientist (MLS) has performed quality control (QC) testing for the hepatitis C antibody test and obtained a result for the negati...
  • Discuss safety measures to minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including bloodborne hepatitis viruses.
      • Bloodborne Pathogen Precautions to Prevent Occupationally-Acquired Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) Infections
      • A laboratory worker is uncapping tubes containing whole blood specimens. Which form of facial protection would not sufficiently protect against potent...
      • A laboratory worker has completed a series of tests and notices some splashes of blood on the front of their lab coat. Which of the following is an ap...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author: Kevin F. Foley, PhD, DABCC, MT, SC is the director of clinical pathology for the Kaiser Permanente Northwest region. He also teaches clinical chemistry at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Foley earned his PhD in clinical pharmacology and toxicology at East Carolina School of Medicine in North Carolina.
Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alex holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.

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