Table 5.
|
Detection
|
Technique
|
Specimen
|
| Virus or its components (direct method) | HEV nucleic acid: (1) RT-PCR; (2) Realtime RT-PCR; and (3) Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay. HEV RNA: (1) In situ hybridization; (2) HEV viral protein (antigen); (3) EIA; and (4) IHC. | Serum, stool, bile, liver tissue |
| Host immune response (indirect method) | Specific anti-HEV antibodies (IgM and IgG) (sensitivity 72%-98% and specificity 78%-96%): (1) Indirect EIA; (2) Immunochromatographic assays; (3) Double-antigen sandwich-based EIAs; (4) μ capture EIAs for IgM anti-HEV; (5) Specific cellular immune response; and (6) ELISpot assays. | Serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells |
HEV: Hepatitis E virus; RT-PCR: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; ELISpot: Enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot; EIA: Electroimmunoassay; IHC: Immunohistochemistry.